Munich Airport board approves controversial deportation terminal plan

Munich Airport's supervisory board has cleared a major hurdle for a planned federal deportation terminal, approving the project by majority vote. The terminal, intended to substantially boost deportation numbers, faces strong opposition from refugee and other organizations. The airport company will build and lease the facility to the federal government, with the federal police exclusively using it for deportations. Munich's new mayor, Dominik Krause, had publicly stated his intention to vote against the project, citing concerns that large-scale deportations should not become part of the airport's business model. Despite his opposition, the federal government and the state of Bavaria, holding a combined 77% stake in the airport, command a clear majority on the supervisory board. The decision followed a vote where both the construction order and a long-term lease agreement with the federal government received majority approval. The board also includes employee representatives, but their votes were not enough to block the project. The approval paves the way for the federal government to proceed with its plan to increase deportation flights.

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The planned building will be erected by Flughafen München GmbH and subsequently leased to the federal government.