Frankfurt Airport (FRA), officially known as Frankfurt am Main Airport, stands as Germany’s busiest international hub and one of Europe’s most significant aviation centers. This sprawling transportation nexus serves as more than just an airport—it’s a vital economic engine for the region, a showcase of German efficiency, and a gateway connecting continents.
History: From Airships to Aviation Giant
The story of Frankfurt Airport begins in November 1909 when the Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft (DELAG), the world’s first airline, was founded in Frankfurt am Main. The company initially operated from an airship base at Rebstock in the Bockenheim district, which opened in 1912. Despite expansion after World War I, this original site proved inadequate for the growing demand of civilian air travel that boomed following the establishment of Deutsche Luft Hansa in 1926.
Plans for a new and larger airport in the Frankfurt City Forest were approved in 1930 but were delayed by the Great Depression. Construction finally began after 1933, with a two-story station building and six-story tower completed in 1935 on the northern part of today’s airport grounds. This facility, initially called Flug- und Luftschiffhafen Rhein-Main (Rhein-Main Airport and Airship Station), would become the foundation of the modern Frankfurt Airport.
The airport’s significance as an airship station was short-lived, as the 1937 Hindenburg disaster effectively ended the era of commercial airship travel. During World War II, the facility was converted for military use by the Luftwaffe, with the airship hangars demolished in 1940. After the war, the damaged airport was captured by US forces in March 1945, who established the Rhein-Main Air Base in the southern portion of the property.
The airport’s postwar civilian operations gradually expanded, and by the 1970s, Frankfurt was emerging as a major European hub. The Rhein-Main Air Base continued to serve as a major US air base until 2005, when it was returned to Fraport (the airport’s operator). This area would later become the site for Terminal 3, currently in the final stages of construction.
Stats and Quick Facts
Frankfurt Airport consistently ranks among the world’s most connected and busiest airports:
- Passenger traffic: 61.5 million passengers in 2024, representing a 3.73% increase from 2023
- Global ranking: 13th busiest worldwide by total passenger numbers
- European ranking: 6th busiest airport in Europe after Istanbul, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Madrid-Barajas
- Area: 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres)
- Runways: 4 runways
- Terminals: Currently 2 passenger terminals with capacity for approximately 65 million passengers per year; Terminal 3 under construction
- Airlines: 83 airlines operating in summer 2024
- Destinations: 283 destinations in 90 countries worldwide, making it the airport with the most direct routes globally
- Cargo: Among Europe’s busiest cargo hubs, handling over 2 million metric tonnes annually
- Economic impact: A critical employment center with tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs
Facilities and Services
Frankfurt Airport features comprehensive facilities designed to accommodate millions of travelers:
- Terminal 1: The larger and older terminal, primarily used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. Divided into concourses A, B, C, and Z.
- Terminal 2: Opened in 1994, mainly hosting airlines from the Oneworld and SkyTeam alliances. Divided into concourses D and E.
- Shopping and dining: Approximately 35,000 square meters of retail and food & beverage space across both terminals
- Airport City Mall: Redesigned and expanded shopping area that opened in 2010
- Connectivity: Free WiFi throughout the airport
- Lounges: Multiple airline lounges for premium passengers and frequent flyers
- Special services: Prayer rooms, medical facilities, children’s play areas, shower rooms
- Airport hotels: Several hotels directly connected to the terminals, including the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
For business travelers, the Frankfurt Airport Centre offers office and conference facilities, with FAC 1 located near Terminal 1 and FAC 2 within Terminal 2.
The airport also features sophisticated logistics and freight handling facilities, divided into CargoCity Nord (North) and CargoCity Süd (South). CargoCity Nord houses Lufthansa Cargo’s headquarters, while CargoCity Süd hosts numerous logistics providers and freight forwarding businesses.
Airlines and Destinations
Frankfurt serves as the main hub for Lufthansa, Germany’s flag carrier, and its subsidiaries:
- Lufthansa
- Lufthansa City Airlines
- Lufthansa CityLine
- Lufthansa Cargo
Other significant operators include Condor and AeroLogic. With 83 airlines flying to 283 destinations across 90 countries, Frankfurt offers an unparalleled network of connections.
The airport particularly excels in long-haul international services, maintaining its position as Germany’s foremost gateway for intercontinental travel. Its central European location makes it ideal for connecting flights between continents, particularly for traffic between North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ground Transportation
Frankfurt Airport’s exceptional connectivity extends beyond air travel, with comprehensive ground transportation options making it a true intermodal hub:
By Train
- Regional services: The airport’s regional train station is served by S-Bahn lines S8 and S9, plus Regional Express (RE) trains, connecting to Frankfurt, Hanau, Aschaffenburg, Mainz, and Wiesbaden
- Long-distance services: The long-distance train station (Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof) connects to 14 high-speed intercity routes, reaching cities as far as Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Brussels
- Travel time to Frankfurt city center: Approximately 15-20 minutes by S-Bahn or regional train
- Frequency: Trains run every 10-15 minutes during peak hours
By Bus
- Free shuttle service operates between Terminals 1 and 2, running every 10 minutes, 24 hours daily
- Public buses connect the airport to surrounding areas
- Lufthansa Express Bus provides service to specific destinations
- Long-distance coaches operate from the airport’s bus station
- Hotel shuttle services are available for many nearby accommodations
By Car
- Strategic location near the Frankfurter Kreuz interchange, where two of Europe’s busiest motorways (A3 and A5) meet
- Extensive parking facilities with thousands of spaces
- Rental car services from major providers
- Taxi ranks outside both terminals
Internal Transportation
- SkyLine: Free automated people mover connecting all terminals and the long-distance train station
- Free shuttle buses between terminals
The airport’s location at the crossroads of major European transport routes makes it accessible from throughout Germany and neighboring countries. With its strategic position in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, the airport serves as a major transport node for a wider area extending to cities like Cologne, the Ruhr Area, and Stuttgart—all less than two hours away by ground transportation.
The Future of Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport continues to evolve with several major development projects underway:
Terminal 3
The most significant expansion is Terminal 3, Europe’s largest airport infrastructure project, scheduled to open in 2026. Located in the southern section of the airport (on the former site of the Rhein-Main Air Base), Terminal 3 will feature:
- 41 new passenger boarding bridges
- A new people mover line connecting all terminals
- Initial capacity for approximately 19 million additional passengers annually
- Three piers (H, J, and K), with Pier H already completed as of October 2024
- State-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology and passenger amenities
Terminal Renovations
- “Transforming Terminal 1”: A comprehensive redesign project implementing modern check-in counters and security checkpoints to enhance passenger processing
- Terminal 2 will undergo complete renovation and modernization after Terminal 3 opens
Cargo Expansion
Fraport’s “Masterplan CargoHub” aims to secure Frankfurt’s position as a global cargo leader through:
- Space optimization: Redesigning areas to create 43,000 square meters of additional cargo space
- LogisticsHub West: A new cargo area on the airport’s western side
- Digital innovations: Partnership with Allivate to enhance Cargo Community systems and advance air freight digitalization
- Potential development of a trimodal hub by 2030, integrating road, rail, and air connections
Sustainability Initiatives
- Electric vehicle infrastructure expansion
- €1.2 million investment to expand charging facilities on the apron by 2024
- Implementation of Europe’s largest private 5G campus network for more efficient operations
Transport Improvements
- Enhanced rail connectivity
- Expansion of ground transportation options
- Improved internal circulation
These developments reflect Frankfurt Airport’s strategy to maintain its competitive position among Europe’s leading airports while addressing challenges like shifting travel patterns, digitalization demands, and sustainability requirements. With forecasts suggesting continued growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, Frankfurt Airport is positioning itself to remain a vital global aviation hub for decades to come.
Frankfurt Airport represents not just a transportation facility but a pivotal crossroads where global connections are forged, businesses flourish, and travelers from across the world converge. Its continued evolution mirrors Germany’s commitment to infrastructure excellence and positions Frankfurt as one of the world’s most significant aviation centers for the foreseeable future.
Keyword: TopAirports