April 2012
Royal palaces, grand monuments and art collections, world-renowned classical music, appealing parks and gardens, top sporting events and fabulous shopping - not to forget the convenient proximity to the Bavarian Alps. This all makes Munich worth a visit. The region is well served by Munich Airport (MUC) which won "Europe's Best Airport" title in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2011. Europe's most convenient hub is at the same time an "airport city" with spa facilities, hotels, public events, 200 shops and eateries including a garden restaurant, meeting and conference facilities, a child-day care and a visitor's park.
Due to the increasing number of flights, Munich Airport has turned into an important “Gateway to Europe and the Alps" for passengers from the Middle East. Etihad Airways operates daily from Abu Dhabi, Emirates serves Munich twice daily from Dubai. OmanAir offers flights from Muscat four times weekly, and Qatar Airways now operates twelve weekly flights from Doha to Munich. The Germany carrier Lufthansa offers daily flights from Dubai and three flights weekly from Riad to Munich. Royal Jordanian just increased to three weekly frequencies from Amman to Munich and TunisAir serves Munich twice per week from Tunis. And, Egypt Air serves Munich on a daily basis from Cairo. In addition to being perfectly connected, service at Munich Airport does not end upon touch-down. Munich Airport puts great effort in welcoming and accommodating Arab-speaking passengers and aims to make Munich Airport the so-called "Gateway Arabia" - especially in Terminal 1 (Hall C) where the majority of all Middle East carriers operates.
The service portfolio includes Arabic signs and announcements to guide arriving passengers to the baggage claim, the lounges and around the airport. Right after immigration and baggage claim, guests will find an information counter with arab-speaking staff to help out with any request. Insider tip: Grab an airport guide in Arabic while you are waiting at baggage claim or pick it up at the information counter. Additionally, the Arabic-English booklet includes lots of great ideas and opportunities about what to see in and around Munich.
When departing from Munich Airport newly installed interactive Info screens in Terminal 1 and in the Munich Airport Center help passengers to find their way. These so-called "InfoGates" connect passengers directly with airport staff via video conference. By scanning the boarding pass at any of the numerous interactive-display monitors and pressing the Arabic button, passengers will find a description of the shortest way to the gates or any place desired within the airport - in Arabic.
To make a culinary experience at the airport truly delightful for Muslim guests, all eateries in Terminal 1 (Hall C) and the airport's brewery "Airbräu" have marked their menus - identifying vegetarian dishes and all meals containing pork.
Inviting prayer rooms are the airport's newest highlight. A smaller one is located in the public area of Terminal 1 (Hall C), near the check-in area. A more spacious and comfortable prayer room is located inside the non-public area, close to the boarding gates and across from the airport lounges. What makes these prayer rooms so special? Designers have taken specific care of the needs of Muslim guests. A beautiful Arabic carpet was especially produced for the prayer room. Footbaths were installed for men and women seperately. And there are also two prayer rooms, one for women and one for men.
In order to improve the intercultural understanding immigration officers are being trained on the demands of Middle East passengers.
Munich Airport's service initiative "Arabian Gateway" is meant to develop and grow constantly. Long term planning even foresees play rooms for children and Muslim meals in the airport's restaurants. It is comforting to know that someone cares, even far from home. Welcome to Munich! (www.munich-airport.com)