Aiming high: Challenging projects at Munich Airport

Terminal 1 is currently being expanded to include a new pier, which, including the entrance and exit area in Module B, has a total area of ​​95,000 square meters. It will create additional space for six wide-body or twelve smaller aircraft. This is where the Bachner Group comes into play: We have been commissioned to build the cable trays and provide the telecommunications engineering for the extensive expansion of Terminal 1.

The tray construction project is progressing since April 2023 and it is supervised by two on-site project managers, Terence Woll and Simon Treffler. We have a comprehensive contract and are responsible for planning, execution, possible adjustments and the final handover. There are plenty of trays and troughs to be laid on six floors: In total, around 50 kilometers will be needed by the expected end of the project in September 2024.

However, the tray construction project presents a few challenges. Due to the large number of cables for energy, signal or frequency transmission required for the expansion of Terminal 1, the cable trays must be selected and laid accordingly. “The difficulty is that some of the trays are laid on top of each other so that the different parts of the building can be supplied,” says project manager Terence Woll. "However, due to the diameter of the individual cables and their sheer quantity, we have to ensure that the trays are kept at the right distance to each other - otherwise the cables will hit the tray above or not fit in at all."

Our Dingolfing colleague, Helmut Kiermeier, is responsible for the supply in the area of ​​telecommunications engineering. Between July 2023 and July 2025, 50 distribution rooms will be equipped with floor trays, raised floors, mesh trays and distributors and the cables will be laid, connected and measured accordingly throughout the building. The main distribution room alone has impressive dimensions of 5.5 meters by 20 meters. In total, the extension will require around 35,000 meters of FOC, 300,000 meters of data cable and 100,000 meters of multi-pair cable.

The latter include a wide variety of types: from telecommunications cables with ten double wires (DA), to 20 DA and 50 DA, to those with 100 DA, everything can be found here. Concentration is particularly important when laying cables with 100 DA. “A cable with 100 DA consists of ten basic bundles and the counting bundle is marked in red. When laying the cable, it has to be determined whether it is an incoming or an outgoing cable,” explains project manager Helmut Kiermeier. Looking at the cable, outgoing multi-pair cables must be counted counterclockwise, while incoming cables must be counted clockwise. This requires full concentration!

All in all, the project is very complex. “Teamwork is important so that we always keep an eye on all overarching aspects – my colleagues from Dingolfing, especially my site manager Dimitar Kopanarov, are a great support here,” says Kiermeier.

The airport is a very exciting working environment – ​​but it also brings with it some unique conditions. For our employees to gain access to the security area of ​​Munich Airport, they must undergo a background check by the responsible aviation security authority. “However, this review takes time, so our colleagues have to wait for the approval before they can start working here. We therefore apply for the necessary documents as early as possible – this way there are no delays,” says department head Peer Uhlemann.

Overall, the three project managers agree: there is a solid collaboration with the Munich Airport. There is an interest in having all open questions clarified so that the tasks at hand can be completed. This makes the work much easier and nothing stands in the way of comprehensive trial operations in 2025. With the extension of Terminal 1, passengers will not only be able to access arrival and departure areas as well as security and passport controls, but also high-quality retail stores and restaurants. We are excited to see what the finished building will look like and look forward to future cooperations with the Munich Airport.