Oktoberfest celebrations begin at Munich Airport

Bavaria’s Minister of State for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism joined Munich Airport CEO, Jost Lammers, and Lufthansa hub manager, Heiko Reitz, at the gateway today as it launched the start of its Oktoberfest celebrations.

In Terminal 2, traditional costume groups from the Isargau Trachtenverband and Lufthansa’s famous traditional costume crew got everyone in the mood for the 190th Oktoberfest.

This year, the Lufthansa traditional costume crew will fly to Shanghai on September 20, followed by Seoul on September 29.

As in previous years, there will be further traditional costume flights to selected destinations within Europe.

The tradition of Lufthansa traditional costume flights at Munich Airport began in 2006. The first crew in Bavarian attire took off from Munich to New York on September 1, 2006. Since then, they served over 30 destinations worldwide.

This brought back an idea that had already delighted guests on board in 1957. During Oktoberfest, the airline serves Bavarian specialties in business class, and similar delicacies are offered in the Lufthansa lounges in Terminal 2.

During the 16 days of Oktoberfest, the airport expects more than 16,000 take-offs and landings with approximately 2.3 million passengers – that’s a passenger increase of 4% compared to the same period last year.

Throughout the 16-day span of Oktoberfest, Munich Airport will welcome guests arriving at Terminal 2 with gingerbread hearts and roasted almonds.

All photos couresty of Stephan Goerlich/FMG.

Traditional costume groups perform in the public area and behind the security checkpoints on selected days.

In addition, pop-up stores from “Trachtendealer” and “Bavarian Caps” open with special offers for the festive season.

Starting on September 20, Airbräu invites visitors to celebrate on the weekends with live music and the 20th tapping of the festival beer ‘Gaudium’.