Munich Airport is preparing to unveil a major addition to its infrastructure, with a new Terminal 1 pier scheduled for a grand opening on April 13, 2026.

The state of the art facility, designed primarily for non Schengen traffic, will significantly increase capacity at Germany’s second largest hub while introducing new standards in passenger comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.

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A Strategic Milestone for Munich’s Global Hub

The new pier at Terminal 1 represents one of Bavaria’s largest current infrastructure projects and is central to Munich Airport’s long term strategy to strengthen its role as a premium intercontinental hub. Airport executives describe the opening as a targeted investment in future viability at a time when global air traffic is rebounding and long haul networks are being rebuilt.

Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, has framed the project as both a capacity upgrade and a qualitative leap, noting that the pier is designed to combine efficient handling with a high quality of stay for passengers. The facility is intended to support the airport’s reputation as a five star hub, reinforcing Munich’s competitive position against other major European gateways.

From a regional perspective, the project is also being positioned as a signal of confidence in Bavaria as a business and tourism destination. The Bavarian finance ministry, which chairs the airport’s supervisory board, has highlighted the pier as a showcase for the region’s openness to international markets and its commitment to modern, sustainable mobility infrastructure.

Opening Timeline and Ramp Up of Operations

The official inauguration of the new Terminal 1 pier is scheduled for April 13, 2026, following an extensive testing and trial phase that began in late 2025. The ceremonial opening will be followed by a phased start of regular operations, with commercial flights shifting into the new facility shortly after the ribbon cutting.

According to airport information, around 40 airlines currently operating non Schengen routes from Terminal 1 are set to move their departures and arrivals into the pier over the following days. Full regular operations for these carriers are expected to be underway by April 21, 2026, giving ground handlers, border police, and commercial tenants a brief transition window to fine tune processes with live passenger traffic.

The airport has emphasized that extensive trial operations have already taken place under realistic conditions, involving more than a thousand volunteer test passengers, full scale emergency drills, and live system tests. Feedback from these trials has been described as largely positive, particularly regarding wayfinding, the spacious design of the pier, and the integration of digital processes.

Design, Capacity, and Technical Features

Stretching roughly 360 meters into the western apron, the new Terminal 1 pier covers about 95,000 square meters of floor space spread across six levels. Three of those levels are dedicated to passenger handling, with clearly separated process areas for arrivals, departures, and transfer flows designed to minimize congestion and improve orientation.

The facility will be capable of serving up to six million passengers annually, an increase equivalent to the yearly traffic of a medium sized standalone European airport. Up to twelve narrowbody aircraft or six widebody jets can be docked simultaneously at the new contact stands, reducing the need for bus boarding and shortening ground times for long haul operations.

Centralized security screening is a core element of the design. The pier features a bank of checkpoints equipped with next generation computed tomography scanners, which allow passengers to leave liquids and electronic devices in their bags while still meeting high security standards. Airport officials say this should lead to faster, more predictable processing times at peak hours.

Other technical features include upgraded baggage systems, modernized immigration facilities, and a high degree of preconfigured flexibility in gate allocation. The building’s layout has been developed to allow for future changes in airline alliances, traffic patterns, and regulatory requirements without major structural interventions.

Airline Allocation and Enhanced Global Connectivity

The new pier is designed as the central home for non Schengen carriers operating from Terminal 1, a mix that includes major transatlantic, Middle Eastern, and Asian airlines. Existing plans foresee American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and British Airways among the most visible users, alongside a diverse roster of other long haul and leisure operators.

Consolidating these carriers into a single, purpose built facility is expected to streamline connections between intercontinental routes and the broader European network available at Munich. Shorter walking distances, more intuitive transfers between gates, and coordinated handling processes are all part of the airport’s bid to attract more connecting traffic, especially on routes linking North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

The opening also dovetails with broader developments in Munich’s route network. In recent years the airport has seen renewed growth in long haul services, with carriers such as Cathay Pacific adding or reinstating links to key Asian hubs. The added pier capacity is designed to support further expansion, both through increased frequencies and the introduction of new destinations as demand recovers.

Passenger Experience: Lounges, Retail, and Relaxation Zones

Passenger comfort has been a central focus of the project, in line with Munich Airport’s positioning as a high service hub. The new pier features spacious waiting areas with extensive natural light, clear sightlines to the apron, and a wide selection of seating options ranging from traditional gate seating to quiet zones intended for rest and work.

Commercial areas in the pier will host a mix of retail and dining outlets, blending international brands with local Bavarian concepts. The layout is intended to create a marketplace atmosphere around the main departure level, giving travelers more options for shopping and dining without forcing lengthy detours away from their gates.

Two new premium lounges are among the flagship amenities. Munich Airport will operate a redesigned Airport Lounge World occupying about 1,200 square meters over two floors, offering extensive apron views, dedicated workspaces, a variety of culinary offerings, and a family friendly play area. Emirates will operate its own approximately 900 square meter lounge in the pier, providing dedicated services for its premium and frequent flyer guests.

Beyond the high end facilities, the pier also incorporates designated relaxation and recreation zones open to all passengers, including quiet corners for rest, integrated charging points, and thoughtfully designed sanitary facilities. The goal, according to airport management, is to ensure that the quality of stay remains consistently high from check in through boarding, regardless of travel class.

Investment, Sustainability, and Long Term Planning

The Terminal 1 pier is being financed entirely from Munich Airport’s own resources, with a total project cost of approximately 665 million euros. Airport officials have underlined that this self financing approach is intended to signal financial strength and a long term commitment to the site, even after the severe downturn caused by the pandemic.

Sustainability considerations are woven into the technical systems and building operations. The pier is connected to Munich Airport’s central energy infrastructure, which has been progressively upgraded as part of the airport’s broader net zero strategy. Energy efficient air handling units with high performance heat recovery, optimized insulation, and advanced building management systems are expected to reduce overall consumption compared with older terminal sections.

The project also fits into a wider program of campus development, which includes new mobility solutions, hotel and car rental infrastructure, and digital upgrades across both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. By aligning the new pier with these parallel initiatives, Munich aims to ensure that capacity growth goes hand in hand with improved environmental performance and operational resilience.

Testing, Readiness, and Operational Reliability

In the months leading up to the April opening, Munich Airport has conducted a series of trial operations to validate the new pier’s systems and procedures. These tests have ranged from basic technical checks of baggage conveyors and boarding bridges to complex, scenario based exercises involving volunteer passengers, airline staff, and public authorities.

Trial runs have been used to test passenger journeys from curbside to gate and from aircraft to baggage reclaim, including the new centralized security area and the updated border control processes associated with the European Union’s Entry Exit System for non Schengen nationals. The airport reports that the infrastructure has delivered stable performance, with the trials also highlighting smaller areas for refinement that are being addressed before day one.

Emergency drills have formed another key component of the readiness program. Multi agency exercises have simulated incidents such as medical emergencies, evacuations, and operational disruptions to ensure clear communication channels and well rehearsed response procedures. These drills are seen as essential to maintaining Munich’s high safety standards while introducing an entirely new building into everyday operations.

Impact on Travelers and Competing European Hubs

For passengers, the most immediate impact of the new pier will be a more streamlined and predictable experience when traveling to or from non Schengen destinations via Munich. Reduced reliance on bus gates, modernized security, and improved wayfinding are all designed to take some of the stress out of long haul journeys and tight connections.

In the competitive landscape of European hubs, the investment is likely to strengthen Munich’s position as an alternative gateway to and from central Europe. By expanding capacity in Terminal 1 while maintaining strong connectivity with Lufthansa and Star Alliance operations in Terminal 2, the airport is seeking to balance alliance based flows with a broad portfolio of independent and non alliance carriers.

A successful launch and ramp up of the pier could also influence airline decisions about where to base aircraft and add new frequencies, especially on high yield business and leisure routes. For Bavaria’s tourism industry and export oriented economy, this additional connectivity is expected to bring long term benefits in the form of easier access for visitors, partners, and investors.

FAQ

Q1. When will the new Terminal 1 pier at Munich Airport open?
The grand opening is scheduled for April 13, 2026, with regular commercial operations for non Schengen airlines ramping up in the days immediately following the ceremony.

Q2. Which airlines will use the new pier?
The pier will serve around 40 airlines operating non Schengen routes from Terminal 1, including major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, along with other long haul and leisure operators.

Q3. How will the new pier affect flight connections and global connectivity?
By concentrating non Schengen carriers in a single, purpose built facility with more contact stands, the pier is expected to improve transfer times and make connections between intercontinental flights and European services at Munich smoother and more attractive.

Q4. What is the passenger capacity of the new pier?
The Terminal 1 pier is designed to handle up to six million passengers per year and can accommodate up to twelve narrowbody or six widebody aircraft at the same time.

Q5. How will security screening change in the new terminal area?
The pier features centralized security checkpoints equipped with advanced CT scanners that allow many items to remain in hand luggage, helping to speed up screening and reduce queues, especially at peak times.

Q6. What new lounges and amenities can travelers expect?
Passengers will find an expanded Airport Lounge World operated by Munich Airport, an Emirates lounge, a wide range of shops and restaurants, relaxation and quiet zones, and spacious gate areas with extensive seating and power outlets.

Q7. Is the project aligned with Munich Airport’s sustainability goals?
Yes. The pier uses energy efficient building and system technology, including high efficiency ventilation and heat recovery, and is integrated into the airport’s wider strategy to cut emissions and move toward net zero operations.

Q8. Will all non Schengen flights move to the new pier immediately?
The transition will be phased. Following the April 13 opening, airlines will gradually shift their operations into the pier over a short period, with the goal of having regular schedules fully established by late April 2026.

Q9. How will the new pier improve the experience for transfer passengers?
Transfer routes have been designed to minimize walking distances and avoid bottlenecks, while clear signage, centralized controls, and more contact gates should reduce stress for passengers making connections between long haul and short haul flights.

Q10. What does this expansion mean for Munich’s position among European airports?
The new pier significantly enhances Munich Airport’s capacity and service level for international traffic, reinforcing its role as a key central European hub and increasing its competitiveness with other major airports for both airlines and travelers.