Munich Airport plans to reduce the number of staff despite an increase in the volume of passengers passing through the airport. It is estimated that 500 employees will lose their jobs.

Due to the fact that Air Berlin and Lufthansa have partially cancelled their contracts with the ground service of the airport, it is safe to assume that an "anticipated 500 jobs" will be axed, reported airport director Michael Kerkloh the "Handelsblatt".

Kerkloh plans to negotiate salary reductions with the rest of the 1,500 employees of the ground service, to at least keep most of the Lufthansa contracts. In addition, a cost reduction programme will be introduced across the airport to further reduce overheads.

The prospects for 2010 aren't bad: "With continued economic funding this year, there is a possiblity of a 5% increase in the number of passengers", the manager stated a 3% increase in passenger volume in February. In March, Munich airport increased its number of travellers by 11%, a greater increase than Germanys biggest airport, Frankfurt.