Operations begin at Munich Airport’s T2 satellite

Munich Airport in Germany begun operating from its new €900m (US$1bn) satellite terminal on April 26, increasing the airport’s annual capacity from 25 million to 36 million passengers.

The new facility is the first midfield terminal in Germany and has been designed, built and financed through a joint venture between the airport and airline operator Lufthansa. Munich-based architectural firm Koch + Partner was selected for the design and general planning of the terminal.

The satellite terminal will provide Munich Airport with 27 new gate positions where passengers can board aircraft directly without bus transportation. Passengers will also have five new Lufthansa lounges to choose from covering a total area of 43,000ft² and featuring with a roof terrace, panoramic windows and a bar overlooking the airport apron.

The satellite has no direct landside transportation links meaning that passengers will need to check in at Terminal 2 (T2). Passengers will then undergo passport screening and hand baggage checks before boarding the airport’s own underground transport system that will take them to the satellite.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, said, “The expansion of T2 with the new satellite building will make the Lufthansa Group airlines operating in Munich a better and more attractive option for passengers from all over the world.

“With twice as many pier-served stands for boarding and deplaning, five new lounges with more than 43,000ft² of floor space and state-of-the-art gates, passengers at our five-star hub will enjoy even more comfort and higher standards of quality. Our investment in premium-quality facilities is a visible commitment to the continuation of our success story in Munich.”

Within the facility, passengers will have access to free wi-fi and USB charging points, as well as a wide range of shopping and dining options situated in an attractive and spacious area flooded with natural light. The new 75,000ft² dining and shopping precinct has 15 retail areas, seven restaurants and three duty free zones, with food and drinks menus that reflect the Bavarian lifestyle and Munich’s character. At the heart of the terminal is the central marketplace with themed stands designed as an authentic tribute to the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s renowned open-air market.

Munich Airport’s CEO Michael Kerkloh said, “With the satellite, we will not only maintain our justly renowned standards of service and overall airport experience, we will actually take them to a higher level. That starts with the comfortably appointed waiting areas, and extends to the attractive marketplaces with the charming restaurants and the 27 pier-served aircraft stands which, in most cases, will eliminate the need to move passengers by bus.”

The satellite also features several services to meet the needs and desires of the modern traveler, including quiet areas with reclining chairs, play areas for children, changing tables in the men’s and women’s washrooms, and four showers.

The midfield terminal also sets new standards for environmentally friendly operations and energy efficiency with a 40% reduction in CO? emissions when compared with the airport’s existing terminals. This is achieved partly through special ‘climate-optimized facades’ that separate the air-conditioned interior of the satellite from the outdoor space, acting as a climate buffer while providing usable space with escalators for passengers to change levels. The facade is made of a newly developed type of glass with a special coating that allows sunlight to enter while keeping out the heat.

The satellite terminal was built within budget and on schedule, with costs for the building and expansion of the baggage sorting facility being shared on a 60:40 basis between Lufthansa and the airport.