ABSTRACT
The chapter addresses the attempts on the part of the East German airline Interflug to establish a regular connection between Berlin and Vienna ever since 1960. Supported by the respective authorities in Berlin, the overtures were positively regarded both by Austrian Airlines and various Austrian officials and ministries. However, because of non-recognition of the German Democratic Republic, West Germany and other Western powers urged the Austrian foreign ministry to deny Interflug landing rights in Vienna. Based on multi-archival research, this chapter argues that civil aviation between East and West remained a complicated matter, even against the backdrop of Détente and flourishing Austria—East German political and economic relations.
