Munich Airport, Germany’s second-largest, is seeing renewed hope for a long-awaited high-speed ICE train connection. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) indicated that the federal government is reviewing plans for a long-distance train station at the airport, a project that has been missing since its opening in 1992. This announcement coincides with the official opening of a significant expansion of Terminal 1, the ‘Pier,’ which will increase the airport’s capacity by up to six million additional passengers per year.
Federal Government Considers Long-Distance Rail Connection
Minister Schnieder initially announced improved connections to Munich Central Station via additional regional and S-Bahn trains. However, he also confirmed that the federal government is examining a more extensive concept submitted by the airport and the Free State of Bavaria. This concept aims to provide a comprehensive long-distance rail connection. “The long-distance connection of the airport will be largely taken into account,” Schnieder stated, adding that this review is expected to conclude by summer.
Bavarian Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU), who chairs the airport’s supervisory board, immediately welcomed the news, urging for a timeline for implementation. Unlike Frankfurt Airport, Munich lacks a long-distance train station for high-speed ICE trains. While a long-distance station was part of the original planning in the 1980s, it was never built. Another persistent issue at Munich Airport, the controversial third runway, was not a topic of discussion during the celebration.
New Terminal Expansion Boosts Airport Capacity
The celebration marked the completion of one of Germany’s largest recent aviation construction projects: the Terminal 1 Pier expansion. After seven years of construction, the new facility will accommodate up to six million additional passengers annually, comparable to the capacity of Hannover Airport. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder (CDU) hailed it as “another milestone in Bavaria’s development.” The 665 million euro structure will officially commence operations in a week.
“Our new pier is 360 meters long and offers space for up to twelve aircraft to be handled simultaneously,” said airport CEO Jost Lammers. Construction on the ‘Terminal 1 – Pier’ began in 2019 and was originally slated for completion in 2023 or 2024. However, the COVID-19 pandemic not only delayed the project but also significantly increased its cost. Initial plans were for under 500 million euros.
Designed for Intercontinental Traffic
The expansion is specifically designed to handle the rapidly growing intercontinental traffic. It features a dedicated passenger boarding bridge for the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, allowing boarding and disembarking on two levels via three jet bridges. Terminal 1 primarily serves airlines not belonging to the Lufthansa Group or its partners.
Further expansion for Germany’s second-largest airport is already in the pipeline. Lufthansa plans to create space for up to ten million additional passengers at Terminal 2. As a co-operator of Terminal 2, the airline intends to construct another new building there by 2035, with a capacity for up to 10 million passengers. Last year, over 43 million passengers departed from or arrived at Munich Airport.
