Regional government of Upper Bavaria approves enlargement of Memmingen Airport

Memmingen. „That is a great mark of confidence in the future of the Allgäu Airport.” With these words Ralf Schmid, managing director of Memmingen airport, comments the positive ruling of the regional government of Upper Bavaria, which has approved the structural expansion of the airport as well as the adjustment of the operating times in the planning approval decision.

In practice the runway can be widened from the previous figure of 30 m to 45 m now. Furthermore, additional taxiways and aprons can be built. In addition, the enlargement of the terminal and the construction of new maintenance hangars have been approved. “That makes us fit for the future”, Ralf Schmid emphasizes. Overall, the Airport aims to invest 15 million Euros in the next years.

The adjustment of the operating times from 10 pm to 11 pm in the framework of the planning approval procedure is regarded as a compromise after weighing up the interests of the airport neighbors and the needs of the airport customers, the airlines, in Memmingen. “With this arrangement, airlines have more flexibility for delayed flights and for aircraft arriving from hubs”, Schmid exemplifies. So the airport becomes more attractive for routes with connecting flights and for the stationing of aircraft. Schmid: “As well as the regional government of Upper Bavaria, we see this as a strengthening of the business location.”

Within the framework of the procedure, overall eleven surveys have been commissioned and submitted. An expert report says: About 2.8 million passengers per year are expected at Memmingen Airport until the year 2025. This is the outcome of a traffic forecast. „Now we can adjust our air traffic infrastructure to these capacities step by step“, says Schmid.