Oktoberfest Celebrations Take Off at Munich Airport and Lufthansa
Munich Airport and Lufthansa have kicked off their annual Oktoberfest festivities, a tradition that has been celebrated for 190 years. On September 18, Bavarian Minister of State for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism Michaela Kaniber, Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammer s, and Lufthansa Hub Manager Heiko Reitz launched the program at Terminal 2, welcoming passengers with traditional costumes, Bavarian delicacies, and themed events.
The airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs during the festival season, has a long-standing tradition of celebrating Oktoberfest for its international and domestic travelers. This year, visitors will be treated to performances, culinary delights, and Lufthansa’s popular traditional costume flights.
Lufthansa’s traditional costume flights have become a highlight of the festival, with their first flight in 2006 from Munich to New York. This year, the airline’s crew in Bavarian attire will fly to Shanghai on September 20 and to Seoul on September 29, in addition to other destinations across Germany and Europe. Business class passengers on these flights will be served with authentic Bavarian dishes, while Lufthansa lounges in Terminal 2 will also offer regional delicacies during the festival.
Munich Airport is also gearing up for the expected increase in passenger traffic during Oktoberfest. With more than 16,000 takeoffs and landings and an estimated 2. 3 million passengers projected to pass through the airport over the 16-day period, airport officials are urging travelers to plan ahead and allow extra time for check-in, baggage handling, and security clearance.
To add to the festive atmosphere, Terminal 2 has been adorned with decorations and visitors will be greeted with traditional gingerbread hearts and roasted almonds upon arrival. The airport has also arranged for performances by Bavarian dancers and musicians from the Isargau Trachtenverband e. V. on selected days.
For those looking to take home a piece of the Oktoberfest experience, the airport has set up pop-up stores from local brands, including Trachtendealer and Bavarian Caps, offering themed merchandise. Additionally, Airbräu, the airport’s on-site brewery, will be hosting weekend celebrations with live music, along with the 20th annual tapping of its festival beer “Gaudium” starting on September 20.
According to organizers, the combination of aviation, hospitality, and cultural programming aims to give travelers a taste of Bavarian tradition even before they reach the city center. The airport and Lufthansa have made the Oktoberfest celebrations an integral part of their seasonal calendar, showcasing the region’s cultural identity to international travelers.
The Oktoberfest season continues to be a significant travel period for Munich, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.