Unfortunately, it looks like commercial realities will triumph over history and sentimentality. It seems all but certain that the airport will be shut down as a commercial entity, even if the referendum shows massive support for the airport. (Google maps showed one TP on the apron, and around a dozen light aircraft)
From a sentimental perspective, I don't think many could vote against it. At the time, (1948) it saved Berlin, and showed the commitment of the west in dealing with Soviet aggression. But as shown in so many other similar situations, money tends to triumph over memory.
video here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7368495.stm
Wikipedia here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade
Canadian Press:
http://canadianpress.google.com/arti...OFIk_vaAubc-ow
Traffic to Tempelhof is currently at 350,000/year in 2007 versus 1.5M/year capacity. 20M/year pax traffic for all Berlin airports.