Germany is constructing a dedicated “deportations terminal” at Munich Airport in a dramatic reversal of the country’s migration policies, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to accelerate the removal of illegal migrants following deadly terror attacks that have shaken the nation.
Planning documents obtained by German newspaper Die Welt reveal a new 60×66 metre facility will be built at Germany’s second-largest airport to exclusively handle the checking in and deportation of migrants. The terminal, scheduled for completion by 2028, would have the capacity to process up to 50 deportation flights daily.
The move represents a stark departure from former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 2015 “wir schaffen das” (“we can manage it”) approach, which saw Germany open its borders to over one million refugees at the height of the migrant crisis.
Merz Condemns Merkel’s Legacy
Chancellor Merz, who met with Sir Keir Starmer recently to discuss migration controls, has explicitly criticised his predecessor’s handling of the refugee crisis. “We clearly did not cope with it,” Merz said last week, directly referencing Merkel’s famous slogan.
Since becoming Chancellor in May 2025, Merz has instructed border guards to turn asylum seekers away and pledged to speed up deportations of those illegally in the country. The construction of the Munich terminal represents the most concrete manifestation yet of his hardline approach.
The city of Munich, which witnessed tens of thousands of asylum seekers arrive during the 2015 crisis, has become a focal point for Germany’s new migration strategy. The Bavaria state capital bore much of the burden when Merkel opened the borders to refugees fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Recent Deportations Signal Policy Shift
Germany’s new approach was demonstrated last week when authorities deported 81 Afghan nationals, including sex offenders and violent criminals, on a Qatar Airways flight from Leipzig Airport. The deportation appears to have been arranged through indirect channels with the Taliban regime.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the action, warning that “serious criminal offenders have no right to reside in our country. The operation followed similar deportations arranged by the previous centre-left administration of Olaf Scholz.
The deportations come as Germany grapples with the aftermath of recent terror attacks. A series of deadly incidents involving Syrian and Afghan asylum seekers has intensified public debate about migration and integration policies.
Terminal Details and Airport Expansion
The new deportation facility at Munich Airport will be constructed as part of the airport’s broader expansion plans. Munich Airport, located 28.5 kilometres northeast of the city near Freising, currently handles over 41 million passengers annually and serves as a major hub for Lufthansa.
The terminal’s 3,960 square metre footprint will create a dedicated space for migration authorities to process deportees away from regular passenger operations. With its planned capacity of 50 flights daily, the facility would significantly enhance Germany’s ability to carry out removals.
Construction is expected to begin alongside other major projects at the airport, including the ongoing Terminal 1 expansion, which is adding a new pier with 16 additional gates at a cost of €665 million.
Political Controversy and the AfD Factor
Merz’s migration policies have sparked fierce controversy, particularly after he broke a long-standing taboo by accepting support from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party to pass anti-migration measures through parliament.
In January 2025, Merz pushed through a non-binding resolution calling for permanent border controls and the turning away of migrants without valid documents, with the measure passing by just three votes thanks to AfD support.
The move prompted rare public criticism from Merkel herself, who said it was “wrong” for Merz to have “knowingly allowed the AfD to gain a majority in a vote in the German Bundestag for the first time.”
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Germany following the vote, accusing Merz of breaking the democratic “firewall” against the far-right party, which is monitored by German security services on suspicion of extremism.
Economic and Demographic Challenges
Critics argue that Merz’s approach ignores Germany’s demographic reality and economic needs. Studies have shown that refugees who arrived during the 2015-2016 crisis have increasingly integrated into the labour market, with employment rates among asylum seekers from major source countries nearly tripling from 10.6% in 2016 to 29% in 2020.
Germany continues to face a severe shortage of skilled workers, which business leaders argue could be addressed through controlled migration. The country’s ageing population and declining birth rate make immigration essential for maintaining economic growth and funding social services.
However, public opinion has shifted significantly since 2015. Official statistics show a 30% drop in migrant arrivals last year, while the AfD’s strong performance in recent elections – finishing second with around 20% support – reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The Munich deportation terminal represents a profound shift from Germany’s post-war approach to migration. Following World War II, West Germany developed one of Europe’s most generous asylum systems, enshrined in its constitution as a response to the Nazi era’s persecution.
Merkel’s 2015 decision to suspend the Dublin Convention and allow refugees to claim asylum in Germany regardless of their entry point into the EU was seen by supporters as upholding these humanitarian values. Her declaration came during a federal press conference on 31 August 2015, following a visit to a refugee centre near Dresden.
“Germany is a strong country,” Merkel had said. “The motive with which we approach these things must be: We have achieved so much – we can do it!”
Now, nearly a decade later, Merz’s deportation terminal signals that Germany has decisively moved away from that optimistic vision. As construction begins on the Munich facility, it remains to be seen whether this harder approach will address public concerns about security whilst managing the country’s long-term demographic and economic needs.
The terminal’s 2028 completion date will coincide with the next federal election cycle, ensuring that migration policy remains at the forefront of German politics for years to come.
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Image Credit:
EVA Air Boeing 787-9 B-17887 at Munich, May 2025 – Photo by Matti Blume, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
