Munich Airport often boasts its title as Europe’s only “five-star airport,” an honor awarded by the renowned rating agency Skytrax, which has granted this distinction to only twelve airports worldwide. During the most recent review in 2023, the airport’s service quality, security controls, baggage handling, and passenger routing were evaluated. At that time, however, the inspectors were likely unaware of the significant fire safety shortcomings in Terminal 1.
These deficiencies are currently being addressed, but the work has not yet been completed. Due to the outstanding issues, Flughafen München GmbH (FMG), led by CEO Jost Lammers, has already been required to pay substantial compulsory fines in 2023 and 2024. According to confirmation from both the Erding District Office and FMG, the total amounts to a six-figure sum.
Fire Doors, Lighting, Documentation Among the Many Issues
The airport’s press office acknowledged that the company had “not always complied with the deadlines” set by the district office in the past. A number of installations and technical systems within the terminal were found to be defective. The airport cited, for example, a fire door that did not close properly and incomplete documentation records for the more than 30-year-old Terminal 1. FMG emphasized that there had never been any concrete risk to passengers, visitors, or staff.
The district office provided further details on the deficiencies: missing type plates and inspection marks on various systems, excessive storage in operational rooms, faulty lighting along escape routes, missing fire barriers, and unauthorized room usage and modifications were among the criticisms.
Six-Figure Penalty Deemed Unusual for Such Cases
The imposition of such a high compulsory fine on the airport is far from routine. While the district office described this as a “standard administrative procedure,” the legal framework allows for discretion—the authority may impose a fine but is not obligated to do so. Apparently, patience at the district authority had run out.
Moreover, a single compulsory fine is legally capped at 50,000 euros, suggesting that the airport was fined on multiple occasions. FMG confirmed to the newspaper that the total amounted to a “low six-figure sum.”
Airport Pledges Improvements for the Future
The airport has assured that such incidents will be avoided in the future. FMG has decided to coordinate all fire protection measures for the entire airport site more closely with the district office going forward. An improved early warning system is planned to ensure that all relevant issues are identified, assessed, resolved promptly, and properly documented. The FMG supervisory board has also been informed of the matter, and management can expect probing questions at the next board meeting.
FMG concluded: “This issue will, of course, also be discussed in the company’s responsible committees.”
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