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Munich Airport: Terminal 1 Pier to open in the first half of 2026

Munich Airport: Terminal 1 Pier to open in the first half of 2026

Future-oriented terminal expansion at Munich Airport on schedule. Numerous devices for passenger and aircraft handling already installed.
The expansion of Terminal 1 at Munich Airport is progressing smoothly according to plan. The new pier will create a state-of-the-art terminal for non-Schengen traffic, with the capacity to serve up to six million passengers per year — roughly equivalent to the total passenger volume of an airport like Hanover in Lower Saxony.
'It is impressive to see how the Terminal 1 concourse is gradually taking shape. You can now easily imagine how passengers will arrive and depart here in less than a year's time. We are not only creating additional capacity, but also a new level of quality and comfort for our passengers,' emphasizes Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport.
At around 360 meters long and 95,000 square meters in area, the terminal extension will allow for the handling of up to twelve smaller aircraft or six wide-body aircraft simultaneously in the future. Passengers flying i.e. with American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, or Qatar Airways can look forward to most modern check-in areas with centralized security checks featuring the latest CT technology, spacious waiting areas, attractive commercial spaces, culinary offerings, and relaxation zones.
After a trial period in the coming months, the new terminal pier will officially open in the first half of 2026. Munich Airport is investing €665 million in this expansion project.

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