Munich Airport

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox airport

Munich Airport (Template:Lang) Template:Airport codes is an international airport serving Munich and the surrounding region of Upper Bavaria. Located Template:Convert northeast of Munich near the town of Freising, it is named after former Bavarian minister-president Franz Josef Strauss.

The airport is the second-busiest in Germany after Frankfurt Airport and the eleventh-busiest in Europe, handling 41.6 million passengers in 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It ranked as the 39th-busiest airport worldwide that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Munich Airport is a hub for Lufthansa and also hosts several of its subsidiaries. It has two passenger terminals, a midfield terminal, two runways, and extensive cargo and maintenance facilities capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

History

Foundation

Munich's previous airport, Munich-Riem Airport, operated from 1939 to 1992. By the mid-1950s, rising passenger numbers and the airport’s location near residential areas prompted plans for a relocation. On 5 August 1969 the Bavarian government decided to build a new airport on the Erdinger Moos plain northeast of the city. Construction began on 3 November 1980. The village of Franzheim was demolished and about 400 inhabitants resettled.<ref name="auto3">Source needed</ref> The airport grounds extend across four municipalities: Oberding (site of the terminals) in the district of Erding, and Hallbergmoos, Freising, and Marzling in the district of Freising.

The new airport opened on 17 May 1992, when all flights were transferred overnight from Munich-Riem, which closed the previous evening.

The facility was named after Franz Josef Strauss, Minister-President of Bavaria from 1978 until 1988, who had supported the project and promoted Bavaria as an aviation hub. Strauss, a private pilot, also served as the first chairman of the Airbus supervisory board.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During construction the site was referred to as "Flughafen München II." The airport operator, Flughafen München GmbH, is jointly owned by the State of Bavaria (51%), the Federal Republic of Germany (26%), and the City of Munich (23%).<ref name="auto3"/>

Operations

In 1996 Munich overtook Düsseldorf Airport as Germany’s second-busiest airport.<ref name="auto3"/> Passenger traffic more than doubled between 1995 and 2006, from under 15 million to over 30 million annually, despite the impact of the September 11 attacks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

To accommodate growth, Terminal 2 opened in June 2003 as a dedicated facility for Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. In 2015, more than 40 million passengers passed through Munich Airport for the first time.<ref>airliners.de – Flughafen München knackt 40-Millionen-Marke bei Passagierzahlen 13 January 2016</ref> In 2018 the airport recorded 46.2 million passengers and 413,000 aircraft movements, serving 266 destinations.<ref name="munich-airport.com">Munich Airport Press Release: Take-offs and landings up 2.6% to over 400,000 Template:Webarchive, 15 January 2018</ref>

Because of capacity constraints at Frankfurt Airport, Lufthansa developed Munich as a second hub in the 1990s, adding both short-haul and long-haul services. Munich now offers more European destinations than Frankfurt, although Frankfurt retains more intercontinental routes.<ref name="auto3"/>

In 2015 Condor announced a new long-haul base at Munich, followed later that year by Transavia opening a base with four aircraft; Transavia closed the operation in 2017.<ref>aero.de – "Transavia dissolves base in Munich" (German) 13 February 2017</ref> In 2016 Eurowings established a base with routes operated by Air Berlin under a wet-lease agreement.<ref name="ABEWops">routesonline.com – Eurowings outlines leased airberlin aircraft operation in S17 3 January 2017</ref> In 2021, Lufthansa announced it would take over most of Eurowings’ Munich services.<ref>airliners.de (German) 3 February 2021</ref>

Corporate identity

In November 2013 the airport introduced a new corporate design. The stylized "M" remained but adopted a different typeface and a colored dash, with animated versions installed at prominent locations such as the Terminal 2 satellite.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Terminals and facilities

Munich Airport covers Template:Convert of land.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most facilities are located in the central area between the two parallel runways. The western zone contains cargo and maintenance facilities, administrative buildings, parking areas, and the Visitors’ Centre. Moving east are the west apron, Terminal 1, the Munich Airport Center (MAC), Terminal 2, and the east apron. The airport has two passenger terminals, each designed to handle tens of millions of passengers annually.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is the older of the two passenger terminals and began operation when the airport opened on 17 May 1992. It is subdivided into five modules (A–E). Modules A–D provide facilities for both departures and arrivals, while module E handles arrivals only, making each module a largely self-contained unit. Modules A and D are used for flights within the Schengen Area, while modules B and C handle non-Schengen destinations. A separate facility, Hall F, is located near Terminal 2 and serves flights requiring additional security measures, such as those to Israel. Some check-in counters for Terminal 1 flights are also located in the central area Z (Template:Langx), which houses much of the terminal’s shopping, dining, and the airport’s suburban railway station.

The terminal’s pier is Template:Convert long and has 21 jet bridges, including one gate equipped with three jet bridges for the Airbus A380, used by Emirates. There are also around 60 apron stands, some with specially designed bridges that allow boarding via bus transfer.

Terminal 1 today mainly accommodates airlines that are not members or partners of the Star Alliance. Major users include American Airlines, Condor, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, Eurowings, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and TUI fly Deutschland.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 opened on 29 June 2003 with an initial capacity of about 25 million passengers per year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline In January 2009 an additional transfer level was introduced in response to new European Union security requirements, allowing separation of passenger flows.<ref name="AsianBreeze">Template:Cite web</ref>

The terminal is primarily used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. Luxair also operates from the building, while some other airlines such as Etihad Airways use Terminal 1.<ref name="AsianBreeze" />

Terminal 2 is arranged around a central plaza rather than modules, as in Terminal 1. It has two main departure levels: Level 4 (G) for Schengen flights and Level 5 (H) for non-Schengen flights, plus bus gates on Level 3. The main pier is about Template:Convert long and includes 24 jet bridges, with more than 70 aircraft stands on the east apron. Additional west apron stands are sometimes used, with passengers transferred by bus. The terminal is equipped to handle large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, particularly after the opening of the Terminal 2 Satellite building.<ref name="AsianBreeze" /> Template:Update inline

The facility is operated by Terminal-2-Betriebsgesellschaft (Terminal 2 Operating Company), a joint venture between Flughafen München GmbH (60%) and Lufthansa (40%), making it the first German terminal co-operated by an airline.<ref name="AsianBreeze" />

Terminal 2 Satellite

Terminal 2 was projected to reach full capacity of about 27.5 million passengers per year by 2013. Plans for an expansion were developed in cooperation with Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. The design allowed for additional capacity while retaining shared facilities such as check-in and baggage claim in Terminal 2, to simplify transfers within the Lufthansa and Star Alliance network.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Preparations for the project began soon after Terminal 2 opened in 2003.

The €650 million project was funded 60% by Munich Airport and 40% by Lufthansa.<ref name="satellitefacts">munich-airport.de – Daten und Fakten zum Satelliten Template:Webarchive retrieved 6 December 2015</ref> Construction was approved in 2010 and began in 2012. The building was completed in late 2015, followed by trial operations in January 2016. It was inaugurated on 22 April 2016 and opened for passengers on 26 April 2016.<ref name="t2s">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The satellite building is 609 m long and has 125,000 m² of floor space. It provides 52 additional gates and 27 aircraft stands, 11 of which can accommodate wide-body aircraft including the Airbus A380. Facilities are divided by function: Level K for Schengen flights, Level L for non-Schengen, and a J area for apron bus boarding. The terminal includes 44 passport control stations, 24 security lanes for transfer passengers, five Lufthansa lounges, and additional restaurants and shops. As an airside-only facility, all check-in, baggage claim and public arrivals functions remain in Terminal 2. A fully automated underground people mover system by Bombardier Transportation connects Terminal 2 and the satellite.<ref>munich-airport.de – Personentransportsystem Template:Webarchive retrieved 6 December 2015</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The terminal handled its one millionth passenger in July 2016, less than three months after opening.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Plans for further expansion include extending the satellite into a T-shaped layout and a possible third terminal to the east.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2019 Lufthansa and Flughafen München GmbH signed a letter of intent to expand the facility, with goals of supporting fuel-efficient aircraft and reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Munich Airport Center

The Munich Airport Center (MAC) is a shopping, business and recreation complex that links the terminals. The older Central Area (Template:Lang), originally built as part of Terminal 1, contains a shopping mall and the Munich S-Bahn station. The newer MAC Forum, completed with Terminal 2, is a covered outdoor area with a large transparent roof.

Adjacent to the forum is the airport hotel, operated by Hilton Hotels & Resorts, designed by architect Helmut Jahn with landscape architecture by PWP Landscape Architecture. It opened in 1994.

The MAC also houses a supermarket that is permitted to trade daily from 05:30 until midnight, including Sundays, as an exemption to Bavarian retail hour restrictions (Template:Lang).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Runways

The airport has two parallel concrete runways, 08R/26L and 08L/26R, each Template:Convert long and Template:Convert wide, as well as one helipad.<ref name="2012-facts">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline Plans for a third runway have been proposed but remain subject to political and legal debate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Parking areas

Munich Airport provides five parking garages and six underground car parks with a total capacity of around 30,000 spaces, of which about 16,500 are covered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline The largest facility, garage P20 at Terminal 2, opened in 2003 with 6,400 spaces on eleven levels (four underground) and was the largest in Germany until surpassed by the car park at Allianz Arena in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A parking guidance system directs drivers to available spaces. Additional premium options are offered, including valet parking, hotel-and-parking packages, oversized spaces, and secure parking areas. Short-term spaces are available east of the central area, with 30 minutes of free parking, and seasonal discounted rates are provided in the P8 garage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Observation facilities

Munich Airport operates a Visitors Park that includes a viewing hill overlooking the western apron and Terminal 1, together with a restaurant, gift shop and playground. Three historic aircraft are displayed in the park: a Lockheed Super Constellation, a Douglas DC-3 and a Junkers Ju 52. Template:Update inline The site is served by Munich Airport Besucherpark station.<ref>munich-airport.com – Visitors Park retrieved 6 January 2025</ref>

A second viewing facility is located on the roof of Terminal 2. This free observation deck features a wide glassed balcony with seating areas, offering views of the eastern apron and the Terminal 2 Satellite building. The terrace is accessible from the public (landside) area of the terminal.<ref>munich-airport.com – Observation deck retrieved 6 January 2025</ref> Template:Clear

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines offer regular scheduled and charter flights at Munich Airport:<ref name=officialschedule>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Airport destination list

Cargo

Template:Airport destination list

Statistics

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Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic
Year	Passengers	% change
2000	23,125,872	Template:Steady
2001	23,646,900	Template:Increase 2.2%
2002	23,163,720	Template:Decrease 2.0%
2003	24,193,304	Template:Increase 4.4%
2004	26,814,505	Template:Increase 10.8%
2005	28,619,427	Template:Increase 6.7%
2006	30,757,978	Template:Increase 7.5%
2007	33,959,422	Template:Increase 10.4%
2008	34,530,593	Template:Increase 1.7%
2009	32,681,067	Template:Decrease 5.4%
2010	34,721,605	Template:Increase 6.2%
2011	37,763,701	Template:Increase 8.7%
2012	38,360,604	Template:Increase 1.6%
2013	38,672,644	Template:Increase 0.8%
2014	39,700,515	Template:Increase 2.7%
2015	40,998,553	Template:Increase 3.3%
2016	42,277,920	Template:Increase 3.1%
2017	44,546,263	Template:Increase 5.4%
2018	46,253,623	Template:Increase 3.8%
2019	47,959,885	Template:Increase 3.7%
2020	11,120,224	Template:Decrease 76.8%
2021	12,496,432	Template:Increase 12.4%
2022	31,642,738	Template:Increase 153.2%
2023	37,037,070	Template:Increase 17.0%
2024	41,568,000	Template:Increase 12.2%

Source: Munich Airport<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Busiest routes

All figures below are for 2020, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=eurostat>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Busiest domestic routes from Munich (2020)
Rank	Airport	Passengers	Main airlines
1	Hamburg	271,704	Eurowings, Lufthansa
2	Berlin–Tegel (closed 2020)	219,586	Lufthansa
3	Düsseldorf	215,028	Eurowings, Lufthansa
4	Frankfurt	170,653	Lufthansa
5	Cologne/Bonn	117,261	Eurowings, Lufthansa

Busiest European routes from Munich (2020)
Rank	Airport	Passengers	Main airlines
1	London–Heathrow	156,903	British Airways, Lufthansa
2	Amsterdam	129,741	Eurowings, KLM, Lufthansa, Transavia
3	Paris–Charles de Gaulle	119,506	Air France, Lufthansa
4	Madrid	102,736	Air Europa, Iberia, Lufthansa
5	Athens	97,928	Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa
6	Rome–Fiumicino	93,632	Alitalia, Lufthansa
7	Barcelona	88,487	Lufthansa, Vueling
8	Stockholm–Arlanda	76,405	Lufthansa, Norwegian, SAS
9	Copenhagen	72,981	Lufthansa, Norwegian, SAS
10	Lisbon	72,946	Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal

Busiest intercontinental routes from Munich (2020)
Rank	Airport	Passengers	Main airlines
1	Dubai International	76,353	Emirates, Lufthansa
2	Doha	48,104	Qatar Airways
3	Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi	39,402	Lufthansa, Thai Airways
4	Abu Dhabi	37,895	Etihad Airways
5	Newark	37,813	Lufthansa, United Airlines

Facilities

Munich Airport hosts several aviation-related operations. Lufthansa maintains a Flight Operations Center for crews based at its secondary hub,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and its subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine moved its administration offices from Cologne to the airport in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lufthansa Technik operates a maintenance facility able to service wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Two hotels are located on the airport grounds. The Hilton Munich Airport, originally opened as the Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich and rebranded on 31 December 2014,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is situated near Terminal 2, while a Novotel serves the long-term parking area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additional accommodation is available in nearby communities.

In 2010 Audi opened a training facility for its retailers on airport property, with designated apron areas used for driving instruction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The German airline DBA, originally Deutsche BA, previously maintained its head office at the airport and in nearby Hallbergmoos.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The helicopter operations division of the Bavarian State Police (Hubschrauberstaffel Bayern) is based at the airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Environment

Since November 2005, Munich Airport has held a certified environmental management system under ISO 14001 and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The airport also participated in the Air Transport Initiative for Germany alongside Fraport, Deutsche Flugsicherung and Lufthansa. Within this framework it developed a "four-pillar strategy" aimed at reducing emissions, improving infrastructure efficiency, optimizing operations and creating economic incentives.<ref name="perspectives">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Landscape

Environmental and nature-conservation aspects were incorporated into the original planning of the site. At the time of opening, about 70% of the grounds were landscaped; today roughly 925 of the airport’s 1,575 hectares remain planted (around 60%).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline The design took account of the surrounding Erdinger Moos wetlands while also limiting features that attract birds in order to reduce bird strike risk. A 230-acre (93 ha) green belt was established as part of the required compensation areas, which today extend to more than 600 acres (240 ha).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Environmental groups, however, have criticised the overall land consumption of the airport and argue that compensation areas are insufficient.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Water

Construction in the Erdinger Moos required lowering local groundwater levels through drainage works, while existing streams were redirected around or under the site. Airport wastewater and rainwater are returned to the water cycle through an extensive system of sewers, pumping stations and treatment facilities. De-icing chemicals such as glycol are collected in winter and treated biologically before release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Noise

Runways were built to 4,000 metres to reduce the need for thrust reversal on landing, though this is partly offset by longer taxi times. A dedicated test hall is used for engine runs, and tests after 23:00 require approval by air traffic control. Airport charges are linked to aircraft noise levels, and 16 fixed monitoring stations track compliance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Night flights are subject to restrictions. Arrivals and departures are banned between 22:00 and 06:00, with exemptions for mail services, emergency operations and flights authorised by the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs. Limited scheduled flights are permitted under specific conditions between 22:00–24:00 and 05:00–06:00.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Local residents have long protested against aircraft noise, particularly at night. Template:Update inline

Energy

Most of the airport’s electricity and heat is supplied by a combined heat and power plant with a generating capacity of 18.5 MW. Surplus heat is stored and reused, and in summer drives absorption chillers. The airport also connects to the regional district heating network.<ref name="perspectives" /> Template:Update inline

A photovoltaic system installed on the roof of Terminal 2 in 2003 generates about 445,000 kWh annually, equivalent to the usage of roughly 150 households.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline Additional facilities include a biofuel filling station for airport and service vehicles.<ref name="perspectives" /> Template:Update inline

Bird sanctuary

The northern part of the Erdinger Moos remains an important habitat for grassland birds such as the northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew and occasional winter visitors like the hen harrier. This area is designated as a bird sanctuary under the EU Birds Directive.

Despite preventive measures, conflicts persist between aviation safety and wildlife protection, and rare birds are occasionally killed by aircraft movements. Plans for a third runway would reduce areas of open grassland within the sanctuary, a proposal criticised by conservation groups.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Update inline

Emergency services

Police

Responsibility for passenger and operational security lies with the Federal Police, units of the Bavarian State Police (Munich Airport Police Inspection, Police Headquarters Upper Bavaria North), and the security department of Flughafen München GmbH.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The airport police station is located at Nordallee 6. Officers are trained for aviation-related incidents.

The Bavarian police helicopter unit is also based at the airport, operating five Eurocopter EC135 helicopters. A relocation of the unit to Schleißheim Airport was planned for 2020. Template:Update inline

An explosives disposal chamber is located on the airport grounds.Template:Citation needed

Fire department

The airport maintains its own fire department with two stations near the runways and a fleet of 32 fire engines. The service is positioned to provide rapid response across the airfield. In major incidents, fire departments from surrounding municipalities can provide additional support; the airport fire service also assists local fire departments in large-scale incidents.

Fire department missions
Year	Total missions*	Fires	Technical assistance	False alarms
2013	3,997	104	1,754	2,139
2012	3,613	107	1,717	1,789
2011	3,582	118	1,831	1,633
2010	3,946	128	2,070	1,748
2009	3,254	118	1,599	1,537
2008	2,999	107	1,389	1,503
2007	2,651	116	1,328	1,207
2006	3,011	123	1,052	1,209
2005	2,095	127	1,103	1,116
2004	2,704	119	950	1,103

*Includes other deployments such as training exercises and guided tours. Template:Update inline

Ambulance service

Emergency medical services at the airport are provided by the Malteser Hilfsdienst under a public service contract. A rescue vehicle is available around the clock and may also respond to calls outside the airport area. Additional regional or supraregional rescue services are dispatched by the regional control center, which coordinates emergency responses across the area.

An emergency physician from the airport medical center is available on site and responds when required.

Ground transportation

Road

Munich Airport is accessible via nearby Motorway A 92, which connects to motorway A9 (towards Nuremberg) and Munich's ring motorway A99. Bavarian State Road St. 2584 connects A 92's exit 6 (Flughafen München)—an incomplete interchange that can only be used by traffic to and from the west—to the terminals. Access from the east is possible via exit 8 (Freising Ost) and Bavarian State Road St. 2580, which connects to St. 2584 in the east of the airport.

The north-southbound so-called "Flughafentangente Ost" ( literally: airport tangential road east) between A92 and A94 was finally opened in 2010 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with a single lane in each direction. Originally, it was planned to be opened as expressway simultaneously with the new Airport. Gradually, the accident-prone road shall be selectively upgraded from 2021 on to two alternating lanes per direction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It can be reached by bicycle on national highway 301 ("B301") and an airport road branching from this highway into the airport area.

Suburban railway

There are two railway stations on the grounds of Munich Airport: Munich Airport Terminal station is located in a tunnel directly beneath the central area between both passenger terminals. A second station called Besucherpark (German for Visitors' Park) is located in the area that contains the cargo and maintenance areas, long-term parking, administrative buildings and the Visitors' Park from which the station gets its name.

The airport is connected to the city by Munich suburban railway (S-Bahn) lines S1 and S8. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes to the Marienplatz station in the city centre. Line S1 runs from the airport through the northwestern suburbs and reaches the city centre from the west (Hauptbahnhof – Marienplatz – München Ost), while line S8 comes in from the eastern suburbs passing the stations from the opposite direction. The S-Bahn from the airport to the city runs approximately 20 hours a day with a short break between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Furthermore, a scheduled regional bus service 635 connects the airport within 20 minutes to the Freising railway station, providing access to regional trains towards Munich as well as to Nuremberg, Regensburg and Prague.

A second tunnel beneath the terminals is currently unused. Originally, there were plans to use it for intercity railway, then for a Transrapid maglev train making the trip to München Hauptbahnhof in 10 minutes. However, this project was cancelled in March 2008 due to cost escalation. Discussions regarding a faster connection between Munich city centre and the airport have fruitlessly taken place for several years, as the journey time of 40–60 minutes faces ongoing criticism.<ref>sueddeutsche.de – "Faster to Munich Airport" (German) 13 November 2015</ref> Even a rudimentary express suburban railway service is not in sight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Regional railway services

As of September 2015, construction works to connect the airport with regional railway services of Deutsche Bahn to and from the north-east had started.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This project, called Neufahrner Kurve (Neufahrn curve after the nearby town of Neufahrn bei Freising), saw the existing southwest-bound S-Bahn tracks being expanded with a curve leading to the north, connecting them with the already existing tracks of the Munich-Regensburg line. This new connection enabled hourly regional express train services from Regensburg via Landshut directly to the airport without the need to use a connecting bus coming from the north or to go to Munich city center at first and then backtracking to the airport. The entire project was completed in November 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 9 December 2018, the new hourly service, Flughafenexpress (airport express) between Regensburg and Munich Airport commenced.

Bus

MVV regional bus lines connect the airport to the nearby city of Freising as well as Erding and Markt Schwaben. Lufthansa Airport Bus provides an alternative to the S-Bahn, stopping at Nordfriedhof U-Bahn station and Munich Central Station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

INVG proposes a direct express coach service between the airport and Ingolstadt; during the summer season an hourly service is offered whereas a less frequent timetable-based service is proposed during the remainder of the year. Stops served at the airport are terminal 2 and the centrally located Airport Center. In Ingolstadt the service serves Ingolstadt Nord station, which allows connection to regional rail services including to and from Nuremberg.Template:Citation needed

Lufthansa also operates bus services from Munich Airport to Nuremberg Airport and Innsbruck Airport<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public transport projects

Since the early 1990s, several proposals have aimed to improve rail access to Munich Airport. Deutsche Bundesbahn initially studied four concepts for connecting the airport to the ICE network at a cost of 500 million to 2 billion Deutsche Mark, but these plans were abandoned in favor of strengthening regional rail links to Munich Hauptbahnhof.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Airport Express (S-Bahn)

After the cancellation of the proposed Transrapid maglev link, alternative concepts were developed using existing railway infrastructure with limited upgrades.

One such plan, colloquially known as the "Humpel-Express," would have operated on the Munich–Regensburg railway and S1 line with few intermediate stops.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Trains were intended to run at speeds up to Template:Convert every 15 minutes between Hauptbahnhof and the airport. The proposal faced obstacles including extended road closures at level crossings in Fasanerie and Feldmoching, the need for a new alignment through several municipalities, and the construction of a viaduct over the federal highway B471. Public opposition and funding concerns led to the project being abandoned.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A revised Airport Express service is now planned in conjunction with the construction of the second S-Bahn trunk line. Trains would stop only at Marienhof between Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof, reducing travel time to about 30 minutes. Deutsche Bahn has also proposed a four-track underground extension from Leuchtenbergring to Hallbergmoos, which would eliminate bottlenecks at intermediate stations and further reduce journey times to an estimated 15–18 minutes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

U-Bahn connections

Extensions of the Munich U-Bahn to connect with S-Bahn lines serving the airport have also been considered. These would shorten travel times from northern districts of Munich by providing faster access to the S1 line.

In 1996 the opening of the U2 terminus at Feldmoching improved access from Milbertshofen-Am Hart and Feldmoching-Hasenbergl. In 1998 an additional connection was completed near Neufahrn, and in 2010 the extension of the U3 to Moosach linked Schwabing-West and Neuhausen-Nymphenburg directly to the S1 line.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A further extension of the U6 from Garching to Neufahrn remains under discussion.

Erdinger Ring connections

The Erdinger Ring project extends the S2 line from Erding towards the airport and provides a connection to Freising via the Neufahrn Link. It is intended to create a regional rail link between eastern Bavaria—including cities such as Moosburg and Landshut—and Munich Airport. Although the project does not reduce travel time to the city center, it establishes a direct link to Messe München by routing the S2 north of the exhibition center.

A related project, the Walpertskirchener Spange, would connect the line from Mühldorf am Inn to Erding and Dorfen.

Formal planning for both projects began in 2006. In October 2012 approval was granted for the Neufahrn Link, and on 29 August 2013 the Bavarian Administrative Court dismissed legal challenges, clearing the way for construction. A financing agreement was signed in April 2013, and the 2.5 km electrified double-track section was completed by December 2018, when direct services to Regensburg and Landshut commenced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Proposed third runway

Plans have been advanced for the construction of a third runway at Munich Airport. The new Template:Convert runway would run parallel to the existing ones and be located northeast of the current north runway.

Rationale

Between 1997 and 2006 air traffic at Munich grew on average by about 7% per year, and capacity at the two existing runways was reported to be exhausted during peak hours. Airlines seeking new slots at Munich were often denied.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A forecast by Intraplan Consult GmbH projected 58.2 million passengers by 2025, assuming continued growth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

According to Flughafen München GmbH (FMG), the operator, a third runway would increase maximum capacity from about 90 to 120 aircraft movements per hour and help position Munich as Germany’s second major hub after Frankfurt Airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The plan approval decision by the government of Upper Bavaria in 2011 was supported by the airport’s shareholders (the State of Bavaria, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the City of Munich) and by several business associations, who argued that the expansion was important for regional transport and the economy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Opposition

The proposal has been controversial, especially in the districts of Freising and Erding, but also in other surrounding counties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Critics questioned the airport’s traffic forecasts, arguing that demand could be met by operating larger aircraft rather than building new infrastructure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Opponents formed the alliance *aufgeMUCkt*, an umbrella organization of more than 80 groups including citizens’ initiatives, church groups, and environmental organizations. The campaign was supported by the Bavarian branch of BUND.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Demonstrations have been held regularly, including a protest in Munich’s Marienplatz on 29 October 2011 with an estimated 7,000 participants.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Catholic Church, which owns some affected land, also announced that it would not sell property for the project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Planning and legal process

The airport operator submitted its application for planning approval in 2007. During the public review period, more than 60,000 objections were filed. In July 2011 the government of Upper Bavaria granted zoning approval, confirming the need for additional capacity. At the same time, the Bavarian Administrative Court rejected lawsuits against the decision, allowing the plan to proceed. The permit is valid for up to 15 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2012 a local referendum in Munich rejected the project, leading the city (one of the airport’s three shareholders) to withhold approval. In 2015 Germany’s Federal Administrative Court dismissed all remaining complaints and confirmed the legal validity of the expansion plans.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, construction cannot begin without the consent of all three shareholders: the State of Bavaria, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the City of Munich.

In September 2020 the Bavarian government suspended all progress on the third runway until at least 2028, citing the sharp decline in passenger numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>br.de (German) 16 September 2020</ref>

If built, the new runway would be designated 08L/26R under ICAO rules (renaming the current north runway 08C/26C). Plans also include a satellite terminal at Terminal 2, which opened in April 2016.

References

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External links

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