It feels like it’s been under construction for some time, but there’s good news: Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 opens to commercial traffic.
The new terminal was formally opened on the 22nd April, with the first flights due to begin today, 23rd April.
The first flight to arrive was a China Southern Boeing 787, flight CZ8021 from Shenyang. A total of 12 arrivals and 12 departures carrying a total of about 6,000 passengers have been scheduled for Terminal 3’s first day of operation.
The move will occur in four waves, with 57 airlines moving to Terminal 3. According to the airport, the following will move on the following dates:
Wave 1 – 23rd April
- Cathay Pacific
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Gulf Air
- Korean Air
- Kuwait Airways
- Oman Air
- Qatar Airways
- Saudia
- T’Way Air
Wave 2 – 5th May
- Air Algérie
- Air Astana
- Air Cairo
- Air Montenegro
- Air Serbia
- Centrum Air
- FlyErbil
- MEA Middle East Airlines
- Nesma Airlines
- Nouvelair
- Qanot Sharq
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- SkyUp Airlines
- Tunisair
- Turkmenistan Airlines
- Uzbekistan Airways
Wave 3 – 19th May
- Aer Lingus
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Freebird Airlines
- HiSky
- JAL Japan Airlines
- MIAT Mongolian Airlines
- Pegasus Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
- TUI fly
- Vietnam Airlines
Wave 4 – 9th June
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Bulgaria Air
- easyJet
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Icelandair
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- SATA Azores Airlines
- SKY Express
- TAROM
To follow:
- Air Anka
- Corendon Airlines
- Condor
- Nile Air
- Star East Airlines
Access to Terminal 3
Depending on how you’re coming to the airport, there are plenty of access methods:
- Between Terminal 1, 2 and Terminal 3 – Use the SkyLine, which is located in proximity to the long-distance train station and Terminal 1. Follow the signs marked “Terminal 3 G, H, J.” It is free to access, operating every two minutes, taking between 8 and 10 minutes
- By Train – Follow the signs for “Terminal 3 G, H, J” to reach the new SkyLine station in Terminal 1.
- By Bus- The Bus Terminal is located on the arrivals level, with connections to Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Walldorf, and Groß-Gerau.
- By Car – Connected by the A5 Motorway. Follow Signs for Terminal 3
In the airport’s youngest terminal, airlines, concessionaires and passengers alike will benefit from timeless architecture, short paths and leading-edge technology. In addition to fully automated luggage check-in and security checks with CT scanners, the terminal offers passengers a wide range of food & beverage outlets and shopping opportunities. A total of 64 stores and restaurants are available for passengers to choose from.
Three piers (G, H, J) will be available, with an option to expand to another pier (K). This would bump the capacity of the new terminal from 19 million passengers a year to 25 million.
In Quotes
Dr Stefan Schulte, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport AG.
Today is a special day – for Fraport, for Frankfurt, for Hesse, and far beyond,”
“With the inauguration of our Terminal 3, one of Europe’s most advanced terminals, we are positioning ourselves for long-term success. This brand-new structure is more than just a major step forward in our airport’s evolution; it also stands as a symbol of the outstanding collaboration among all those involved in the project. Each of them has contributed to its success with their expertise, lifeblood, and abilities,”
Minister-President Boris Rhein stated:
“It’s a great achievement that the new Terminal 3 is being inaugurated this Wednesday. As Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure project, it demonstrates what Germany is capable of. Germany can build. We can deliver ambitious projects. ‘Made in Germany’ remains a badge of quality. The new terminal strengthens both ourairport and our economy. We need strong air transportation hubs to keep our country internationally connected. That is why we want to further enhance Germany’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry.”
On the arrival of the first flight, Alexander Laukenmann, the head of Fraport’s Aviation Division added:
“The first plane that we handle on Terminal 3’s first day of operation is a special moment that will go down in the history of Frankfurt Airport,”
“It’s much more than just a familiar procedure at a new building. It marks the culmination of years of planning, finally becoming reality thanks to years of dedication and effort by everyone involved. This special moment belongs to everyone who has helped build and take Terminal 3 live here at Frankfurt Airport.”
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