Mysterious phantom airport: The enigmatic tale of Munich West Airport that perplexed many

Mysterious phantom airport: The enigmatic tale of Munich West Airport that perplexed many

In a strategic move aimed at tapping into the bustling Munich travel market, budget airline Ryanair has branded Memmingen Airport, officially known as Allgäu Airport Memmingen, as the "Munich West Airport". This unofficial renaming is not sanctioned by airport authorities, but rather a marketing ploy to associate the airport with the larger Munich area, despite its location approximately 110 km west of Munich city, near the town of Memmingen in Bavaria.

The "Munich West" label has been instrumental in attracting budget-conscious travellers seeking affordable alternatives to the main Munich Airport (MUC) situated northeast of the city. However, this naming has led to some confusion for uninformed passengers who may expect the airport to be closer to Munich city centre.

The airport, a small regional hub serving the Allgäu region and parts of western Bavaria, was initially used by Ryanair to expand its reach without competing directly with the primary Munich Airport. This trend of low-cost airlines marketing secondary airports under more recognisable names of nearby major cities is part of a broader strategy to attract customers.

While the "Munich West" label offers benefits such as cheaper fares and potential convenience for travelers originating in western Bavaria or neighboring areas, it also presents challenges. Passengers unfamiliar with the region may be misled into expecting a closer airport, potentially facing longer ground transfers. This renaming has resulted in logistical challenges, as passengers must arrange transportation to reach Munich city or its main business centres.

In some cases, this naming has caused dissatisfaction or confusion, as "Munich West" is not an official geographical or transport designation and does not have direct convenient connections like Munich Airport. A concrete slab in a small wood in the east of Munich serves as a reminder of the Munich Riem airport, the predecessor of today's Franz-Josef-Strauß-Airport, located in the east of Munich.

It's important to note that the Munich West airport, despite its unofficial "Munich West" label, remains officially named Memmingen Airport or Allgäu Airport. This strategic marketing move by Ryanair, while helping position Memmingen in the competitive airline market, also leads to passenger confusion and travel inconvenience due to the airport’s considerable distance from Munich's city centre and main airport.

Interestingly, a similar misleading renaming of an airport occurred in Germany in 2024, when British passengers landed in Hunsrück instead of Frankfurt. Despite this, the airport in Hunsrück is still referred to as "Frankfurt-Hahn". Similarly, the Munich West airport is over 100 km away from Bavaria's largest traffic airport, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Airport.

References: [1] Bayern Newsletter (Date unspecified)

Travelers seeking affordable alternatives to the main Munich Airport (MUC) may be attracted by the "Munich West" label attached to Memmingen Airport, but this unofficial renaming can lead to confusion for those unaware of the airport's actual location. Despite being approximately 110 km west of Munich city, the airport serves as a strategic move for budget airlines like Ryanair to expand their reach in the bustling Munich travel market without competing directly with the primary Munich Airport.

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