Munich Airport operating company FMG has welcomed the positive planning approval decision by the District Government of Upper Bavaria for the construction of a third runway at the airport.

FMG chief executive, Michael Kerklohcalled, said the ruling was “the most important new starting point for Munich’s competitiveness as an air transportation location since the relocation of the airport in Riem”.

Kerkloh added: “This sets the stage in terms of planning permission regulations to continue this Bavarian success story in the long term.

“The expansion of Munich Airport to meet growing demand and the resulting increase in available flights and destinations will benefit in particular the population of Bavaria and the economy.”

The news is a further blow to the UK aviation sector, however, with London Heathrow unable to expand following a government decision to ban construction of a third runway at the property.

While Heathrow remains the busiest international airport in the world, its position is coming under threat from airports in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Munich.

Munich Airport

Since the new Munich Airport opened in 1992, the traffic volume has increased enormously.

In 2010, the passenger volume at the airport reached approximately 35 million passengers, or about three times the total of 1992, when the airport opened, and some 390,000 take-offs and landings were recorded, which was nearly double the 1992 level.

Today, the airport offers scheduled services to more than 220 destinations in 68 countries around the world.

Moreover, with a workforce numbering 30,000 employees, Munich Airport is among Bavaria’s largest workplaces.

The third runway at Munich Airport will help ensure that the national air transportation infrastructure is able to deliver the necessary performance in the long term. Approximately 90% of all long-haul flights to and from Germany are handled through the two hubs of Munich and Frankfurt.

Now that both locations have secure expansion perspectives, Germany, as Europe’s biggest economy, will continue to gain an appropriate share in the anticipated growth in global air traffic.

FMG has made 100 million euros in funding available, with no legal obligation, as compensation for hardships and inconvenience related to the expansion project.

Under planning permission law, the decisive ruling by the District Government of Upper Bavaria permits immediate execution of the project.

However, as a legal challenge to the immediate execution of the ruling is likely, FMG said it plans to start construction only after a court decision.

City.Mobi

Also in Europe today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Munich.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Munich.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.