GERMANY. Munich Airport officially opened its new Terminal 1 pier on Monday with around 1,000 guests attending from the worlds of politics, business and aviation. [Note: The Moodie Davitt Report will provide a detailed report on the new pier’s commercial offer following a visit and tour with senior commercial management soon.]
Speakers at the inauguration event included Minister-President of Bavaria Dr. Markus Söder; Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder; Bavarian Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Munich Airport Supervisory Board Albert Füracker; Munich City Head of the Department of Labor and Economic Affairs Dr. Christian Scharpf and Munich Airport Chief Executive Officer Jost Lammers.
Lammers said, “The new pier represents the future of our airport: more capacity, more comfort, more international connections. As a modern gateway to the world, it strengthens our role as a leading European aviation hub.”
At the ceremony the speakers unveiled the previously concealed marketplace within the new pier and as they did so, a dramatic cloud-like installation suspended above the central area dissolved and rose upward.
The 95,000sq m pier has capacity to serve up to six million additional passengers per year. The six-level facility, which is home to around 40 airlines, features a strong retail and dining offer.
The heart of the pier is the central marketplace, surrounding which are 20 retail and service areas. A highlight is the first walkthrough duty-free store at Munich Airport managed by subsidiary Eurotrade. The pier also houses stores for international brands such as Boss, Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani and TUMI, as well as regional highlights such as the FC Bayern fan shop.
Munich Airport is introducing an upgraded dining concept with five new restaurants run by the airport’s subsidiary Allresto, which combine regional specialties with international trends, while also offering halal, vegetarian and vegan options.
The lounge offer includes the two-storey Airport Lounge World, spanning 1,200sq m, which offers fine views of the tarmac and the Alpine panorama, a variety of dining options, work and relaxation areas and a children’s play area. Emirates customers can visit the airline’s dedicated lounge on Level 4.
An airport company statement said, “Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the airport is funding the pier’s €665 million investment independently, thereby sending a clear signal regarding the site’s continued development.” ✈
