ALREADY one of Europe’s most popular hubs for the Gulf, Munich Airport will better connect the region to the rest of Europe in time for the FIFA World Cup in June, when Eithad Airways ups its frequencies to a daily service.
The city is well connected with the Gulf: double daily flights from Dubai operated by Emirates and four weekly flights from Dubai operated by Lufthansa, and five weekly flights from Doha with Qatar Airways.
Arrivals from the Gulf rose nine per cent to 34,500 in 2005. Of these, 46 per cent of these were on business while 39 per cent used Munich as a hub for onward flights.
“In Munich hospitality commences on arrival at the airport,” says a spokesperson. “Cooperative employees, Europe’s most modern terminal, clear comprehensible structures, distinct designations, and a record minimum connecting time of only 30 minutes turn Munich Airport into the most attractive airport in Europe – even for the upcoming soccer World Cup 2006.
“With 190 daily flights to 21 German cities the Munich Airport is the perfect gate for all venues during the soccer World Cup 2006. Furthermore, departing passengers can follow all games live on television-screens at the gate of departure,” says the spokesman.
With a passenger volume of 28.6 million in 2005, Munich Airport ranks eighth among Europe’s top 10 destinations, and is one of the fastest growing airports on the continent. More than 144 airlines ally Munich with 220 cities worldwide. Due to 190 daily flights to 21 German cities, and 8.7 million domestic passengers, Munich Airport is on first place when it comes to German-wide traffic.
The airport offers 439 weekly connections to Italy, 357 weekly connections to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and numerous connections to Asia and North America.
“Munich Airport offers Europe’s shortest connecting time, the most modern transfer terminal (Star Alliance), the one and only full-service airport clinic, the biggest covered open-air forum, the largest car park, the first hydrogen gas station, the only airport brewery, and first certification for the Airbus A380 are only a few of the European superlatives which, according to the ambitious motto ‘service nonstop’, Munich Airport offers its passengers,” says the spokesperson. A ‘Meet & Assist’ Service with personal pickup at the gate can be booked on demand in various languages.
At the Airport Awards 2005, Skytrax named Munich Airport Best Airport in Europe and Fourth Best Airport in the World, after surveying five million passengers worldwide.
Munich Airport is more than just an airport, says the spokesman. It is a major shopping and dining venue with about 200 shops stocking everything from high-value fashion to souvenirs and restaurants across the culinary spectrum. A first class hotel run by Kempinski, and a conference centre round up the variety of choice.
Even after the World Cup 2006, the ‘ball will be still spinning’: in order to cope with the dynamic growth of traffic in future, Munich Airport has already implemented action for the important airport extension. The planning of a third runway, a further hotel, as well as the enlargement of the airfright facilities is already taking place. By 2010 Munich Airport is expected to be developed as one of the most efficient and attractive aviation hubs.