Munich Airport added new Milestone of Satellite facility

A new milestone in the history of Munich Airport was begun on April 26, 2016, with the launch of the new satellite terminal – Germany's first midfield terminal. Europe's only five-star airport is again setting new standards for excellent service, expertise and sustainability. The satellite terminal is also a continuation of the successful joint venture between Munich Airport and Lufthansa. As in Terminal 2, the partners had joined forces to design, build and finance the new passenger handling facility on a 60:40 basis. The Munich architectural firm Koch + Partner was selected for the design and general planning. There were 1,900 guests in attendance at official opening of the Munich Airport satellite terminal.

 

The new facility will give Munich Airport 27 new gate positions where passengers can board aircraft directly without bus transportation. With the new satellite facility, the capacity of Terminal 2, which is used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners, will be increased by 11 million to 36 million passengers per year. As one of the world's most advanced passenger facilities, the satellite terminal will offer passengers pleasant surroundings, a wide range of shopping and dining options, and outstanding travel convenience in attractive and spacious areas flooded with natural light. Passengers will also have five new Lufthansa lounges to choose from.

The CEO of Lufthansa, Carsten Spohr, also commented on the quality improvements through the increased capacity: "The expansion of Terminal 2 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 4,000 square meters 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. The investment in premium-quality facilities is a visible commitment to the continuation of the success story in Munich."

 

The satellite has no direct landside transportation links. Check-in will take place in Terminal 2. 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 terminal in barely a minute. Here they will experience the same high standards of quality they have come to expect in Terminal 2. Of course they will have free access to the airport-wide Wi-Fi network, and can plug their devices into USB and power outlets in the waiting areas.

 

Awaiting passengers in the satellite terminal have an entirely new dining and shopping experience, with 15 retail areas, seven restaurants and cafes and three duty free zones in a spacious, 7,000 square meter setting. The architecture, the shopping options and the wide variety of foods and drinks available reflect the Bavarian lifestyle and Munich's unique character. The satellite terminal also features plenty of services to meet the needs and desires of the modern traveller, from quiet areas with reclining chairs, play areas for children, changing tables in the men's and women's washrooms, and four showers. All services are situated at the center of the new building for quick and convenient access by customers. From here the five new Lufthansa lounges are just steps away. With an area of 4,000 square meters, this nearly doubles the total area of the Terminal 2 lounge facilities. The new concept includes a roof terrace, panoramic windows and a bar overlooking the airport apron.

 

The satellite terminal also sets new standards for environment friendly operations and energy efficiency. Advanced building materials and innovative heating, cooling and lighting technologies, reduce energy consumption to a minimum. A 40 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions in the new facility as compared with the airport's existing terminal buildings is achieved partly through special "climate-optimized facades". These 4.5 meter wide zones 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.

Suspended from aerial silks 20 meters above the floor of the new facility's central market square, a group of acrobats performed their own daring and graceful airborne choreography. The dazzling display was witnessed by the 1,900 guests from Germany and abroad, encircling the apron tower at the heart of the satellite.