• Fraport AG officially opened the new state-of-the-art Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport with a ceremony attended by more than 400 invited guests from government, business, and the aviation industry.
• The inauguration marks the completion of the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the MDAX-listed company, ushering in a new era in Frankfurt Airport’s history.
• Guests of honour included German Federal Minister for Transport Patrick Schnieder; Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein; the Lord Mayor of Frankfurt, Mike Josef; Michael Boddenberg, Chair of Fraport’s Supervisory Board; and Christoph Mäckler, the architect responsible for designing Terminal 3.

“Today is a special day – for Fraport, for Frankfurt, for Hesse, and far beyond,” emphasises Stefan Schulte, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport AG. “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,” he adds.

Minister-President Boris Rhein states: “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 our airport 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.”

The grand opening of the new passenger terminal was celebrated with an impressive light show and a choreographed dance performance in Terminal 3’s central marketplace. The official program concluded with the announcement: “Terminal 3 is ready for check-in!”

First flight on April 23 – Relocation of 57 airlines set to begin

Terminal 3 will begin operations on April 23. Among the first users of the new facility are all 57 of the airlines that are permanently relocating to the new terminal and will be operating their flights from there going forward. The move is taking place in four waves and will be concluded by June 9. In addition, Condor – the second-largest airline at Frankfurt Airport – will be switching to Terminal 3 in the summer of 2027. 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.

Terminal 3 completed on time and on budget

The construction of Terminal 3 was a remarkable achievement. The groundbreaking ceremony for Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure project took place on October 15, 2015. At its peak, up to 3,000 skilled tradespeople from various professions were working simultaneously on the construction site. The result is a terminal with an initial capacity for up to 19 million passengers per year, utilizing Piers G, H, and J. In a future second phase, this capacity could be increased to up to 25 million passengers annually by adding Pier K. Fraport has invested approximately €4 billion in the construction of Terminal 3.

Fraport Ausbau Süd GmbH (FAS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport AG, was responsible for all facets of the construction project. “FAS was the driving force behind the project’s success,” said CEO Stefan Schulte. “It takes credit for completing Terminal 3 on time without exceeding the budget.” Despite numerous challenges – including the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine and disrupted international supply chains – the company successfully concluded the Terminal 3 project.

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