The initiative „Prevent Munich Deportation Terminal“ is urgently seeking (!) lawyers with big hearts and even greater expertise/experience in planning approval procedures (especially with regard to Article 73 (4) sentence 1 of the Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act - BayVwVfG).
Was ist los?
At Munich Airport, deportations are currently being carried out via Terminal 1.
Munich Airport is operated by Flughafen München GmbH („FMG“) together with its subsidiary and affiliated companies. The shareholders of Flughafen München GmbH are the Free State of Bavaria (51 %), the Federal Republic of Germany (26 %) and the state capital Munich (23 %).
The FMG is currently planning the construction of a standalone „deportation terminal.“.
According to the building application, this „deportation terminal“ is intended to enable up to 100 deportations daily. The sheer capacity alone gives rise to the assumption that Munich Airport could function as a major deportation hub.
In contrast, on 18.12.2019, the Munich City Council decided that Munich would join the Solidarity Cities network. The network is an association of European cities committed to solidarity in the reception and integration of refugees. In addition, they joined the Seebrücke initiative for safe harbours.
At the same time, the (still? 😉) incumbent Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter sits on the FMG supervisory board and is „in principle not against“ the provision of a so-called repatriation terminal (SZ, „Munich Airport wants to build terminal for deportations“, 23.7.2025). The former Lord Mayor of Ingolstadt and now Munich's Referent for Labour and Economic Affairs, Christian Scharpf, emphasises the FMG's economic interest in rental income from the Federal Police: „The planned repatriation terminal makes it possible to use the FMG's chosen plot of land sensibly and economically“ (Rathaus Umschau 6/2026, 12.01.2026).
A remarkable constellation: a city policy that likes to present itself as a „safe haven“ while simultaneously pushing ahead with the construction of an „deportation terminal.“ A debate in which the economic profitability of deportations is introduced as an argument.
It is precisely in such a constellation that civil society is called upon. Democratic participation does not end after casting a vote. It perhaps even manifests itself much more in questioning political plans, clearly formulating any opposition, and, if necessary, availing oneself of legal options. In short: in taking a stand.
If anyone feels addressed or has a tip, feel free to contact me directly. I'm happy to make the connection.