Böblingen/Sindelfingen Airfield

Military Base Closure and Urban Redevelopment. The airfield, last operated as 'Boeblingen Army Airfield' by the United States Army, was closed following the end of the Cold War and the subsequent reduction of US military forces in Germany. The land was returned to German authorities, who then designated it for a large-scale urban development project, as it was no longer required for military purposes and occupied prime real estate between the growing cities of Böblingen and Sindelfingen.

The former airfield has been completely transformed into a modern urban district named **'Flugfeld Böblingen/Sindelfingen'**. This joint development project between the two cities is a mixed-use area featuring:

- **Residential Buildings:** Apartment complexes and housing.
- **Commercial and Office Space:** Headquarters and offices for various companies.
- **Retail and Services:** Shops, restaurants, and hotels.
- **Recreation:** A large central park and an artificial lake ('Langer See').
- **Historic Preservation:** Several original airport buildings have been preserved and repurposed. The most prominent is **'Motorworld Region Stuttgart'**, a major attraction for automotive enthusiasts, which is housed in the renovated historic hangars and the former reception building. The old control tower also remains as a landmark.

The airfield has a rich and layered history.

- **WWI and Early Aviation (1915-1924):** Opened in 1915 as a military training and production site for the German Empire's air force during World War I.

- **Golden Age of Aviation (1925-1938):** In 1925, it became the official state airport of Württemberg ('Landesflughafen Württemberg') and served as the primary international airport for the Stuttgart region before the current Stuttgart Airport (STR) was built in Echterdingen. It hosted airlines like Lufthansa and even welcomed the Graf Zeppelin airship. It was a major center for aircraft manufacturing, most notably as the home of Klemm Leichtflugzeugbau GmbH, which produced pioneering light aircraft. Daimler-Benz also used the site for developing and testing aircraft engines.

- **WWII (1938-1945):** The Nazis converted it back into a military airbase ('Fliegerhorst Böblingen') for the Luftwaffe, stationing fighter squadrons and operating a major repair depot. Due to its strategic importance, it was heavily targeted and largely destroyed by Allied bombing raids.

- **Post-War Era (1945-1992):** After the war, the site was taken over by the US Army. It was initially used as a repair depot for ground vehicles and equipment. It was later reactivated as 'Boeblingen Army Airfield', primarily serving as a heliport for US Army aviation units until its final closure.

There are **zero prospects for reopening** the site as an airport. The land has been permanently and densely redeveloped with extensive infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and parks. The original runways and aviation facilities have been completely removed. Reverting the site to an airfield is physically, economically, and politically impossible.