Terminal 1 expansion at Munich International Airport (MUC) has reached its final milestone with the new pier scheduled to open on 13 April 2026. Regular flight operations will begin shortly afterward. The €665 million expansion is one of Bavaria’s largest current infrastructure projects and will significantly increase the airport’s capacity for non-Schengen travel.
The extension adds a 360-meter-long pier covering about 95,000 square meters, capable of handling up to 12 narrow-body aircraft or six wide-body aircraft simultaneously. Once operational, the facility will increase the terminal’s capacity by about 6 million passengers per year, easing congestion and supporting growth in long-haul and international traffic. Munich Airport also recently signed a PPA with RWE for supply from the Nordseecluster A wind farm in the German North Sea.
Summary of MUC Terminal 1 expansion
Munich Airport Terminal 1 expansion is focused on non-Schengen international flights, providing modern infrastructure for airlines operating outside Europe.
Key additions include:
- A new pier extending into the western apron with multiple boarding gates.
- Centralized security screening using advanced CT scanners to speed passenger processing.
- Four new baggage claim carousels to improve arrival capacity.
- A large central marketplace area with retail and food outlets.
- Two premium lounges, including an airport-operated lounge and an airline lounge.
- Munich Airport’s first walk-through duty-free store, the largest retail space in the terminal.
Check-in operations will remain in the existing Terminal 1 building, while the new pier provides the additional gates and passenger facilities.
Munich International Airport (MUC) Terminal 1 expansion project investment and scale
- Total investment: about €665 million
- Board approval: 2018
- Construction start: 2019
- Construction completion: end of 2025, followed by testing and commissioning
- Official opening: 13 April 2026
- Additional passenger capacity: 6 million passengers annually
Additionally, the project is financed entirely by Flughafen München GmbH, the airport’s operating company.
Who is involved in Munich International Airport (MUC) Terminal 1 expansion?
Owner and Developer
- Flughafen München GmbH
Architects and Designers
- SSF Ingenieure
- Schüßler-Plan
- sop architekten
- JSK Architekci
Engineering
- GAUFF Engineering
- act-consult
- KBP Ingenieure
- Assmann Beraten + Planen
Project Management
- IGP Ingenieur
Digital/Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- NavVis
- DCMvn
Electrical Installations
- Elektro Bachner
Suppliers
- OBO Bettermann
Visualization
- Artray
Lighting
- AG Licht Planungsbüro
Update on Munich International Airport (MUC) Terminal 1 Expansion
Reported July 9, 2024 – Munich International Airport (MUC) is undergoing an expansion to add a passenger handling area to accommodate a additional six million passengers each year.
Munich Airport International will complete the expansion of Munich Airport Terminal 1 in 2025. Additionally, the airport operator, Flughafen Munchen (FMG) is investing €665m ($723.8m) into this development.
Flughafen München GmbH announced the Munich Airport Terminal 1 expansion project in November 2016. FMGs board approved the expansion in June 2018. Accordingly, construction work began with ground preparations in April 2019. The goal of this expansion is to enhance passenger comfort and also elevate the airport experience for travelers.
Upon completion the expanded terminal will become the hub for international airlines such as American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways.
Situated 30km north of Munich’s city center in Bavaria states Erdinger Moos district, Munich International Airport covers an area of 1,618ha. MUC is also one of Europe’s busiest airports. For instance, it served over 37 million passengers in 2023.
The airport consists of two terminals. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Connected by the Munich Airport Center. Most travelers have the option to get to the airport using the S Bahn station. In addition the airport provides areas, for dropping off cars, multi story parking lots and designated taxi stands.
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MUC Terminal 1 expansion: What to expect
The project to expand Terminal 1 at MUC involves creating a passenger area that also includes a pier with a central building complex located in front of Terminal 1.
The new pier will be 360 meters long and 43 meters wide reaching out into the apron. It will have the capacity to handle either 12 aircraft or six wide body aircraft at the time with two gates specifically designed for Airbus A380 superjumbos.
This new pier will link up with Terminals A and B in Terminal 1 which will also serve as the main access points to and from the building complex.
Access to the pier is, through a security checkpoint zone
The central building complex will be 85 meters long and 140 meters wide covering an area of 95,000 meters. It will also consist of six floors, three of which are dedicated to passenger services and check in facilities.
Levels two and six are reserved for infrastructure purposes. Level three is set aside for departure gates immigration checkpoints and baggage claim areas. There will be a marketplace and departure gates on level four while the fifth level is designated for arrivals. This also includes passport control and security checkpoints.
The upgraded terminal will have ten CT technology equipped checkpoints in use, in Terminal 1 Module D and Terminal 2.
After the expansion is finished travelers will enjoy 16 piers, 12 security lanes and also an improved baggage claim area with four carousels at the airport.
Construction information
To build the pier a comprehensive engineering update of the area and also underlying infrastructure covering about 135,000m² in the part of the current western apron was necessary. The Munich International Airport Terminal 1 Expansion project started with demolishing the apron and performing civil engineering tasks on the pier in 2019. Construction of the building and pier structure began in 2022. Both the façade and roof were completed by the end of that year. Interior work commenced in the year.
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New facilities at Terminal 1
The MUC Terminal 1 Expansion aims to elevate visitor experience with expanded spaces. New amenities like retreats, tailored services such, as kids play areas and exhibition spots are planned. Additionally; the main focus will center around a marketplace covering an area of 5,200 square meters featuring a spacious duty free zone, alongside various dining and shopping options offering a wide range of products.
Key players in Munich Airport Terminal 1 expansion project
A group of engineering firms and architects including SSF Ingenieure, Schussler Plan Ingenieurgesellschaft, JSK Architekci and sop Architekten are collectively managing the projects design.
Additionally, KBP Ingenieure, an engineering services provider will handle the design aspects.
For the development of infrastructure and civil engineering works on the west apron FMG has engaged GAUFF Engineering and act-consult in a venture for planning.
Meanwhile, IGP Ingenieur is overseeing project management services for the construction of the terminal building.
Assmann Beraten + Planen (ABP) will oversee site development spanning 90,000 meters and to lead technical installations planning.
ABP has partnered with NavVis for utilizing its mobile mapping system to scan levels during terminal expansion construction phases.
DCMvn who specializes in building information modelling (BIM) is responsible for providing BIM creation and management services. These will focus on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Additionally, OBO Bettermann will provide and install wiring for the project.
Artray, a provider of animation and CGI services will produce CGI visuals that showcase the project details and also design of the expansion.
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