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Milestone German reunification: When the world opened up for East Germans
60 years of stories: ITB Berlin looks back on German reunification – a milestone that had a lasting impact on tourism and strengthened European unity.
© Andrea Beu
On 3 October 1990, people in East and West Germany celebrated reunification together. It was a historic turning point that changed politics, society and travel. Suddenly, borders opened and a country full of history, culture and impressive landscapes became accessible. For many, it was the beginning of a new chapter, one where freedom, a lust for adventure and international encounters beckoned.
Andrea Beu, a former flight attendant with the GDR’s national carrier Interflug, which ceased operations in 1991, recalls flying in an era of state surveillance and the historic moment when the world opened up for the people of the GDR.
© Andrea Beu
How did you come to work for Interflug and what fascinated you about the job?
I have always been interested in distant foreign countries and travel, so I wanted to work in a profession that had something to do with that. As we all know, travelling to distant countries was very restricted in the GDR. So I came up with the idea of applying to Interflug. I first applied for training as a travel agent, and later for "additional training as cabin crew", i.e. as a flight attendant.
What requirements did you have to meet to become a flight attendant with Interflug?
In addition to meeting the usual height, weight and health requirements, you had to be politically trustworthy. Having relatives or contacts in the West was problematic, as we counted as being “under a duty of secrecy”. Training took place in two stages: first a two-year programme at the Interflug vocational school to become a business administrator specialising in transport. Only then could you apply for a nine-month follow-up course to become a flight attendant. The selection process included a health and political background check, Russian, English and geography exams, and a current political knowledge test.
Did the Stasi play a big role in your professional life?
Very much so. On some short flights – to Warsaw, Prague and Budapest for example – there were always two Stasi agents on the plane who blended in with other passengers. We used to call them "safety pins“. Officially, their role was to ensure onboard safety, but it was well known that they were also there to prevent hijackings to the West and no doubt to eavesdrop on the crew.
What are your most vivid recollections looking back?
I was a flight attendant with Interflug for about six years, so there are quite a few memories. The team spirit among colleagues, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, including with the pilots. The physical demands of the job. The incredibly noisy IL-18, that distinctive smell of the aircraft and how individual airports smelled: Moscow was completely different to Budapest. My “baptism“ crossing the equator en route to Brazzaville was unforgettable too. The arrival of three Airbus aircraft was a major turning point – it was a quantum leap in terms of comfort. And, of course, Interflug's last Airbus flight to Larnaca in the spring of 1991, when the end of Interflug was very near.
© Andrea Beu
How did you experience the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989/90 – in your job and private life?
Career-wise it was very positive, exciting, great – a new world opened up, we were all allowed to fly to the West, not just the "NSW colleagues" previously assigned to the "Non-Socialist Economic Area". On the other hand, the fall of the Berlin Wall also spelled the end for Interflug, which was liquidated by the Treuhand and we were all made redundant. For me personally it meant being able to travel anywhere, which I took great advantage of – I used my severance pay to take a three-month trip around South America at the end of 1991. Despite all the negative consequences, such as mass unemployment, the fall of the Wall was one of the happiest moments of my life.
What role does travel play in your life today?
I still enjoy travelling a lot. These days however, I try to fly as little as possible – I prefer to take the train, even to more distant places such as Barcelona and Budapest. Or I take the boat, on the Rhine for example.
60 years of ITB Berlin – 60 years of global travel stories: since 1966, ITB Berlin has been shaping the world of travel with curiosity, passion and the conviction that tourism builds bridges. ITB Berlin takes a look back at defining moments – from its first steps to the introduction of the euro and pioneering platform revolutions. Find out more about our 60th anniversary here
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