Infrastructure: expansion for increasing mobility needs

The upward trend at Munich Airport continues and is reflected in the traffic figures for the past year: 41.6 million passengers represents an increase of 4.5 million compared to 2023. Mobility demand – and with it global air traffic – is expected to continue rising. Munich Airport’s task is to provide the necessary capacities. With demand-oriented expansion and modernization projects, we are strengthening development prospects for the site and the airport region.

Terminal 1: new pier nearing completion

The expansion and modernization of Terminal 1 is a strategic expansion project that will secure the future viability and competitiveness of Munich Airport. In 2024, work focused on the interior construction of the new pier. The flooring has been fully installed, and work on the wall coverings and ceiling panels is nearly complete. In addition, the gate counters have already been assembled, and the first seating has been installed in the waiting areas.

Testing and approvals of the building’s technical installations will be completed in 2025. Following the planned commissioning of the new pier in the first half of 2026, travelers can expect 16 additional gates, twelve state-of-the-art security screening lanes, and a new baggage claim area. The new building will also feature a spacious marketplace with a wide range of retail and food service options, along with two new lounges offering panoramic views of the western apron. In addition to a generously designed duty-free shop, numerous restaurants and bars will be added. The travel experience will be further improved through amenities such as quiet zones, children’s play areas, and workspaces. All tenants have now started work on fitting out their commercial spaces. Alongside the new «Airport Lounge World,» which is operated by FMG itself, Emirates will also open a lounge in the Terminal 1 extension. A new cafeteria with views of the apron will be available for employees in the pier.

LabCampus: innovation hub at the airport

On the western edge of the airport grounds, LabCampus has emerged as a unique innovation center that creates an ideal environment for scale-ups, hidden champions, and globally operating companies by fostering cross-industry and cross-company collaboration. The proximity of research and business plays a central role in this: with the arrival of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in late 2025, a university presence will be established at Munich Airport. To develop a «TUM Convergence Center,» the renowned university has leased more than 20,000 square meters of space on the LabCampus. The two buildings, LAB 48 and LAB 52, are already home to German Air Traffic Control, FMG’s in-house training and education center AirportAcademy, the company amplimind GmbH (a joint venture between Audi and Lufthansa Industry Solutions), and Exotec Deutschland GmbH, a globally active company specializing in scalable robotic systems for the logistics sector. In spring 2025, Lufthansa Aviation Training GmbH also moved into its new premises in LAB 48. As a result, the office spaces are now nearly fully occupied. This year, the further development of the first of a total of four LabCampus districts is being driven forward.

LabCampus

Expanded parking capacity: construction of P8

The new P8 project involves the construction of an eight-story above-ground parking garage featuring a range of innovative features. The top level will be covered, providing additional protection from wind and weather. The total number of parking spaces will be approximately 3,700, with 20 percent designated for electric vehicles. P8 will offer underground access to the existing South Connection Tunnel, with direct access to Terminal 1 (areas D and E) and to the pedestrian walkway to Terminal 2. Preparatory work, including demolition, dismantling, and disposal of the old building, was successfully completed in 2023. Completion of the new parking garage is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Particular emphasis is being placed on the project’s sustainability aspects. For example, the demolition material was recycled and reused for road substructures. State-of-the-art photovoltaic technology is being deployed to generate sustainable energy, while high-efficiency LED lighting reduces energy consumption.

ibis Styles: new hotel at the airport

The ibis Styles brand – known for its distinctive and individual designs at more than 560 locations worldwide – is expanding to Munich Airport. In addition, the new building supports the airport’s sustainability strategy: the use of stone wool instead of rigid foam in the thermal insulation system, a green roof, geothermal cooling, and access to district heating powered by renewable energy sources all significantly contribute to reducing the building’s CO₂ emissions. As a result, the hotel will receive Gold certification from the German Sustainable Building Council. The centerpiece of the 350-room hotel will be its open lobby, which includes a restaurant, a bar, and a separate breakfast area, along with co-working spaces. A children’s area and a self-service food market are also planned. Inspired by the Isar River, guests at the new ibis Styles Munich Airport will experience a striking, contemporary design that repeatedly references the surrounding natural environment. The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2026.

Airport access: improvements are becoming visible

The improvement of rail connections is of high strategic relevance for Munich Airport. It represents a crucial prerequisite for more sustainable arrivals and departures and also makes it possible to secure and expand the catchment area. The first success was the inclusion of the airport’s connection to long-distance rail passenger service in the «Potential Need» category of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan under the Federal Railways Expansion Act. At the same time, we initiated important steps toward achieving classification as «Urgent Need» – the essential requirement for starting concrete planning. In parallel, a phased concept is being developed for the location of a long-distance rail station at Munich Airport. The aim is to reroute selected long-distance trains from the central station to the airport as early as the medium term.

Since the end of 2024, the interregional airport express (ÜFEX) has been operating from the airport via Regensburg to Nuremberg. In addition, the Bavarian state government has secured funding for the West flyover structure, which is intended to untangle the routes of the S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines approaching the airport. Once operational – expected by the end of 2030 – this project will enhance both service quality and capacity at the airport rail station.

Strategic construction projects