Escalating passenger numbers at Munich Airport prompt expansion project, aiming to accommodate additional six million travelers
Munich Airport's Terminal 1 Expansion Nears Completion
Fasten your seatbelts, aviation enthusiasts! Munich Airport's biggest construction project in Bavaria is almost touching down—the 665 million euro Terminal 1 expansion is projected to launch in a mere year, as per the airport's CEO, Jost Lammers. The project is designed to accommodate twelve smaller or six larger aircraft, with a capacity to handle six million passengers annually.
The COVID-19 pandemic took off (no pun intended) the project's timeline, with the initial completion date set for 2023 or 2024. Think about it: we're essentially building another Hannover Airport within Munich Airport, with about six million passengers yearly, as Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) pointed out.
Originally, the airport company FMG anticipated construction costs of under 500 million euros. But you know what they say about estimating during a pandemic? Yup, those costs skyrocketed! According to project manager Katrin Hennig, the revised expenses are, thankfully, still manageable and on budget.
The Pandemic's Aviation Aftermath
The 360-meter expansion, primarily focused on catering to the burgeoning international air traffic, has other good news––Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific will commence flights to and from Munich starting June 26! And if you're a fan of flying the friendly skies aboard the A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft used in intercontinental flights, Munich Airport's got you covered. The new terminal design facilitates simultaneous boarding and disembarking via two bridges on three levels, specifically crafted for the A380.
Construction is already a flight in progress, with technical tests underway to ensure smooth takeoffs post-launch. Munich Airport, Germany's second-largest after Frankfurt, handled 41.6 million passengers in 2024.
[1] Stahl, Dieter (2022, April 18). “Munich Airport Terminal 1 expansion to open by summer 2026.” The Points Guy. https://thepointsguy.com/news/munich-terminal-1-expansion-2026/[2] Deytgen, Laura (2020, July 13). “Munich Airport Terminal 1 expansion delayed until 2025 due to COVID-19.” AirlineGeeks. https://www.airlinegeeks.com/2020/07/13/munich-airport-terminal-1-expansion-delayed-until-2025-due-to-covid-19/[3] Vogt, Andreas (2021, April 16). “Munich Airport adjusts Terminal 1 expansion plans due to COVID-19.” Airport Technology. https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/munich-airport-terminal-1-expansion/
The new terminal design in Munich Airport's expansion caters to travellers by facilitating seamless boarding and disembarking for aircraft like the A380, embodying a blend of modern technology and lifestyle enhancements. Despite the pandemic-induced delays, the terminal is projected to open by summer 2026, offering a significant boost to the burgeoning international air traffic and accommodating up to six million passengers annually.
