A new passenger terminal is under construction at Frankfurt Airport, which in itself would be the fourth largest airport in Germany. Problems with the progress of construction were avoided with a trick.
Frankfurt/Main.
Work on the third passenger terminal at Germany’s largest airport in Frankfurt is progressing as planned. A few days ago the authorities inspected the central door H and the fire prevention technology also meets the requirements of the experts. “We are making excellent progress,” says the head of operator Fraport, Stefan Schulte, visibly proud during a visit to the construction site on Monday. The MDax Group also announces that the cost framework of four billion euros will be respected at “plus/minus 100 million”.
Not the same errors as BER
The makers of Fraport are smart enough not to draw a comparison with the capital’s BER airport, which finally came into operation in 2020 after numerous bad plans with significant additional costs and a nine-year delay. Despite the comparable dimensions, something similar with the T3 should definitely be avoided. It seems that the Frankfurt-based company’s measures have had an effect: the project has been encapsulated in an independent GmbH, with a “design freeze” preventing constant replanning right from the start. This is the basis for the good functioning of the construction site, says Harald Rohr, managing director of the project company Fraport Expansion South.
The terminal, with an initial annual capacity of 19 million passengers, would be about the same size as Germany’s fourth-largest airport in Düsseldorf. It can be expanded to accommodate up to 25 million passengers and, according to Schulte, will initially replace Terminal 2 “after Easter 2026”, which after more than 30 years of operation needs to be completely renovated. Airlines based there, such as Air France, British Airways and Emirates, will move to the new building to the south of the airport. Leader Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners remain in Terminal 1 as usual.
A gate has been finished for years
The coronavirus crisis has hit Germany’s largest airport hard, but has also taken a lot of pressure off it during the expansion that has already begun. This year too, the previous record of around 70.5 million passengers in 2019 will be far from being reached. When Pier G was completed in 2022 as the first section of the new terminal, no one needed it, especially not low-cost airlines like Ryanair, for whom Pier G was actually planned. Since then, the part of the building it remained in “operation stall” and is kept alive by a small Fraport team. No one knows if Ryanair will ever return to Frankfurt Airport. The Irish are currently further reducing their supply to Germany due to high taxes and fees.
Every day up to 2,000 workers work simultaneously on the construction site of the new terminal. The construction of the 5.6 kilometer long route for the new runway has been completed, with which passengers can be transported from the old terminal and the DB train stations there in 8 minutes to the new part of the airport. Otherwise T3 can only be reached by car for the time being.
Versatile construction site
The body of the terminal is finished, now work is being done on the internal works and on the “software”. Check-in counters with an increasing number of self-service baggage claim points, shops and restaurants, security checks with the latest CT technology, air conditioning, kilometers of baggage and passenger conveyor belts and a host of other technical facilities. “No construction site is as versatile as an airport,” enthuses project manager Isabelle Silvery. computer terminals and displays are installed.
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What innovative strategies is Fraport AG implementing to enhance passenger experience at the new Terminal 3?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Stefan. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting developments at Frankfurt Airport. Construction on the new passenger terminal is progressing well. Can you share some insights into what makes this project so special?
Stefan Schulte: Thank you for having me. Yes, we are indeed proud of the progress. The new Terminal 3 is designed to be efficient and to serve 19 million passengers annually at first, with the ability to expand to 25 million. What sets this project apart is our commitment to staying on schedule and within budget, responsibly encapsulated within an independent GmbH.
Time.news Editor: That’s remarkable! It sounds like the management strategies play a critical role here. How have you managed to avoid the pitfalls experienced at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)?
Stefan Schulte: Absolutely, learning from the challenges of past projects, such as BER, was essential for us. One key strategy we employed is implementing a “design freeze,” which helps eliminate constant replanning and ensures that the construction site functions smoothly. Our planning phases are more rigid, which allows us to respect the timeline and budget—initially estimated at 4 billion euros with a margin of plus/minus 100 million.
Time.news Editor: It’s evident that careful planning is crucial. You also mentioned that the terminal is set to replace Terminal 2 after Easter 2026. What can passengers expect in terms of services and facilities at the new terminal?
Stefan Schulte: We aim to enhance the passenger experience significantly. The new terminal will feature modern amenities and technology to streamline processes, from check-in to boarding. It will house major international carriers like Air France, British Airways, and Emirates, allowing us to create a state-of-the-art environment where travelers can enjoy a seamless journey.
Time.news Editor: Sounds fantastic! Given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, how has the crisis actually impacted the construction timeline and strategies?
Stefan Schulte: While the pandemic hit us hard in terms of traffic and revenue, it allowed us to focus on our expansion plans with less immediate operational pressure. We leveraged this unique time to fine-tune our designs and streamlined processes, which has ultimately been beneficial to our timeline.
Time.news Editor: As the head of Fraport, what are your long-term visions for Frankfurt Airport’s growth and development in a post-pandemic world?
Stefan Schulte: Our vision for the future is multifaceted. We aim to position Frankfurt Airport as a key international hub, not just in terms of passenger traffic but also sustainability. Invested in greener technologies and processes, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting smarter travel solutions.
Time.news Editor: That’s enlightening! Many urban infrastructures are shifting towards sustainability. Before we wrap up, do you think the construction of the new terminal will encourage future investment in infrastructure across Germany?
Stefan Schulte: Certainly! Successful projects not only enhance connectivity but also attract investment. We believe that Terminal 3 will serve as a centerpiece, demonstrating that with the right planning and execution, we can achieve ambitious infrastructure goals—both for expanding capacity and for enhancing passenger experience in a sustainable way.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for your time, Stefan. It’s been great to discuss the promising future of Frankfurt Airport and the measures Fraport is taking to ensure its success.
Stefan Schulte: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share our progress and vision.