Munich Airport posted significant gains in passenger numbers in the first six months of the 2019 operating year. The latest figures, presented at the Munich Press Club by Dr. Michael Kerkloh, the President and CEO of Munich Airport, reveal that the airport set a new half-year record of 22.7 million passengers — an increase of approximately 5 percent as compared to the first six months of 2018. The number of take-offs and landings was also higher, increasing by almost 3 percent to around 205,000 aircraft movements in total. In the cargo segment, which is experiencing a slowdown throughout Europe, the total volume handled in the first half of the year amounted to around 162,000 tons. This represents a year-on-year decline of nearly 6 percent.

The most powerful growth driver at Munich Airport remains the steadily increasing demand for international travel. The number of passengers travelling between Munich and international destinations in the first half of 2019 was 1 million higher than in the same period a year earlier.

Disproportionate growth was seen especially in the intercontinental segment, where growth in total passengers, at 10.6 percent, was more than double the Europe-wide growth rate (4.5 percent).

With regard to the climate impact of aviation, CEO Kerkloh mentioned an initiative announced two weeks ago at the annual assembly of the trade body ACI Europe, which represents the aviation industry. Under the plan, more than 190 European airports are committed to taking decisive action to decarbonize aviation.

Munich Airport and the other signatories of this “Net Zero Carbon” resolution intend to reduce their CO2 emissions to “net zero” by 2050 and to remove the unavoidable residual emissions from the atmosphere through technological measures.

Michael Kerkloh:

– I believe that bans on flying or individuals voluntarily refraining from air travel do not represent viable options for a networked global community. That’s because, in this discussion, there is one fact that we need to bear in mind: Aviation doesn’t just produce emissions. It produces cultural exchanges, encounters between people, and economic cooperation on a global scale. What’s more: Aviation produces openness to the outside world, jobs and prosperity. Especially in view of the role of flight in bringing the world’s nations together, it is worth combining our strengths and working together for sustainable and climate-friendly aviation. We at Munich Airport will be doing our share.”

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