Munich Airport and Lufthansa are to strengthen their existing partnership after announcing a new agreement, which will include planning for the expansion of terminal infrastructure and long-haul fleet in Munich.
Both companies will focus on developing strategic conditions for air traffic growth at the airport. They aim to strengthen Munich Airport’s economic performance, create additional high-quality jobs in the airport region and contribute sustainably to value creation in Bavaria.
Commenting on the announcement, Bavarian state prime minister Dr Markus Söder said, “Bavaria is a hub for aviation, and Munich Airport is our gateway to the world. Since 2003, the airport and Lufthansa have maintained a globally unique and successful partnership on a global scale.
“Together, we plan to further expand the satellite at Terminal 2 to ultimately accommodate up to an additional 10 million passengers per year.
“In addition, Lufthansa will expand its long-haul network in Munich with additional long-haul aircraft and even greater quality and service.”
Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, added, “The partnership with Lufthansa enables us to significantly strengthen and expand the international hub. It is a milestone in the development of the airport hub. For our guests, it means a significantly better offering and even greater comfort.”
The joint agreement paves the way for the concrete planning phase of the construction project. The ‘pier’ is to be connected at a right angle to the existing satellite building on the east side, which belongs to the Terminal 2 system. This will reportedly increase the airport’s annual capacity by 10 million passengers.
At the same time, the pier is designed to provide passengers with a more comfortable travel experience, with an opening currently planned for 2035. The existing moratorium on the third runway is not affected by the expansion and remains fully in effect.
Munich Airport has a long-standing partnership with Lufthansa. With the opening of Terminal 2 in 2003, both companies launched a joint venture whereby they both hold operational responsibility for the terminal infrastructure they use.
Munich Airport holds a 60% stake in the Terminal 2 operating company, while Lufthansa holds 40%. Currently, Terminal 2 and the satellite building, which opened in 2016, together have a capacity of 36 million passengers annually.
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