Frankfurt Airport Delays: What You Need To Know

Frankfurt Airport is Germany's largest commercial airport in terms of passenger volume. While the airport authorities try their best to manage crowds, there may be waits at various points of the journey. In 2023, 2.04% of all scheduled flights were cancelled, and 0.42% of all flights were delayed. In 2022, almost a quarter of flights from Frankfurt Airport were delayed by more than 15 minutes. If your flight is delayed or canceled, you may be entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600.

Frankfurt Airport's on-time performance

Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) is Germany's largest commercial airport in terms of passenger volume. However, when it comes to punctuality, the airport ranks in the middle compared to other airports in Germany.

2023 Performance

In 2023, Frankfurt Airport experienced robust flight operations. Out of a total of 202,205 scheduled flights, 4,116 flights were cancelled, representing 2.04% of all scheduled flights. Additionally, 843 flights were delayed, accounting for 0.42% of all flights. This data indicates that while the airport handles a high volume of flights, it also experiences a notable number of delays and cancellations.

2022 Performance

The previous year, in 2022, almost a quarter of flights from Frankfurt am Main Airport were delayed by more than 15 minutes.

Causes of Delays and Cancellations

Delays and cancellations at Frankfurt Airport can occur due to various reasons, including weather conditions, operational issues, or strikes by ground or flight personnel. These events are considered exceptional circumstances, and passengers may not be entitled to compensation in these cases.

Passenger Rights and Compensation

It's important to note that passengers affected by flight delays or cancellations at Frankfurt Airport may be entitled to compensation or ticket refunds. According to EU Passenger Rights Regulations, passengers can claim compensation for delays of more than 3 hours, cancellations with short notice, overbooking, or missed connecting flights. The amount of compensation ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of the flight. Additionally, passengers may be entitled to care services at the airport, such as free drinks, meals, and telephone or email access during extended waiting times.

To ensure a smoother travel experience, Frankfurt Airport offers a free service called "FRA SmartWay," which allows passengers to reserve exclusive access to security control up to 72 hours in advance of their journey.

Compensation for delays

Delays and cancellations are common in air travel, and it's important to understand your rights and entitlements when they occur. While the US does not have an umbrella regulation protecting passengers with flight issues, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) does provide compensation in some instances. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) has specific regulations and policies that offer more protection to passengers travelling to, from, or within their respective countries.

When it comes to delays, the DOT requires airlines to adhere to their customer service plans and provide certain amenities to passengers when the cause of the delay is within the airline's control. This includes rebooking passengers on the same or another airline at no additional cost, providing meal vouchers or compensation for meals during the delay, and offering complimentary hotel accommodations and ground transportation for overnight delays.

Additionally, passengers involuntarily bumped from a flight due to overbooking may be eligible for compensation. The amount of compensation depends on the ticket price and the length of the delay, ranging from 200% to 400% of the one-way ticket price or a maximum of $1,550.

It's important to note that bad weather, air traffic delays, and mechanical issues are generally not considered grounds for compensation, as they are often outside the airline's control.

The EU has more comprehensive passenger rights regulations, outlined in EU Legislation 261/2004. If your flight is within the EU or operated by an EU airline, or if you are arriving at an EU airport on a UK or EU airline, you may be entitled to compensation for delays.

The amount of compensation depends on the distance of your flight:

• For flights under 1,500 km, you can claim up to £220 or €250.
• For flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, you can claim up to £350 or €400.
• For flights over 3,500 km, you can claim up to £520 or €600.

Additionally, if your flight is delayed by more than two hours for a short-haul flight, three hours for medium-haul, or four hours for long-haul, you are entitled to assistance, including meals, accommodation, and communication.

If you are delayed by more than five hours and no longer wish to travel, you have the right to a full refund.

Services like AirHelp and ClaimCompass can assist passengers in claiming compensation and streamlining the process, especially for EU flights.

Causes of delays

Delays and cancellations at Frankfurt Airport are inevitable, given its size and the volume of flights it handles. In 2023, there were 202,205 flights scheduled at Frankfurt Airport, of which 4,116 were canceled (2.04%) and 843 were delayed (0.42%). While the airport attempts to mitigate delays, passengers may experience waits at various points throughout their journey.

One of the main causes of delays at Frankfurt Airport is the check-in process. Passengers have reported delays of up to 1 hour and 30 minutes for check-in, which can impact the timely departure of flights. This is particularly true for those connecting from within the Schengen area to non-Schengen destinations, as the walk to the gates is reportedly very long. Additionally, passengers have noted that the fast lane option was not efficient, further contributing to delays.

Another cause of delays is the airport's transportation links. Getting to the airport by train, for example, is often associated with delays and cancellations. This can result in passengers missing their flights or arriving late for check-in, causing a ripple effect of delays throughout the day.

Furthermore, operational issues with airlines can cause delays. For instance, in 2023, Lufthansa had 370 delays out of 100,543 flights, while Lufthansa CityLine had 33 delays out of 17,942 flights. While these numbers are relatively low compared to the total number of flights, they still contribute to the overall delay statistics at Frankfurt Airport.

It is worth noting that punctuality at Frankfurt Airport is comparable to other airports in Germany, and the airport is continuously working to improve the travel experience. However, passengers should be aware of their rights in the event of long waiting times or flight delays, as they may be entitled to compensation or care services.

Current delays

As of 1st January 2025, Frankfurt Airport is reporting a very low delay status that is decreasing.

Frankfurt Airport is Germany's largest commercial airport in terms of passenger volume. It is inevitable that there will be some flight delays and cancellations. In 2023, there were a total of 202,205 flights scheduled at Frankfurt Airport, of which 4,116 were cancelled (2.04%) and 843 were delayed (0.42%).

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600. This depends on the distance travelled and the length of the delay. For example, if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, you are entitled to compensation. You may also be entitled to care services at the airport, such as free drinks and meals. If your flight is delayed until the next day, the airline must provide hotel accommodation.

Frankfurt Airport offers a free service called "FRA SmartWay", which allows passengers to reserve exclusive access to security control 72 hours in advance of their journey. This can help to speed up the process and reduce waiting times at the airport.

Passenger rights

As of January 5, 2025, Frankfurt Airport is experiencing very low delays, and the status is decreasing. However, it is important to know your passenger rights in case of delays or cancellations.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is located within the zone covered by EC 261, which includes the EU and EEA countries, as well as the 'outermost regions' such as Guadeloupe, Réunion, and the Canary Islands. This means that any passenger departing from Frankfurt Airport may be entitled to compensation when flights are delayed or canceled. In some cases, you may also be entitled to compensation for similar problems on flights arriving at Frankfurt.

If your flight is delayed or canceled, you usually have up to three years to claim compensation. You can use a free compensation calculator to check how much you are owed. You may be entitled to up to €600 per person under EU law, and this amount is based on the distance traveled, not the ticket price. For example, for short-haul flights (less than 1500 km), you are entitled to up to €600, while for medium-haul flights (up to 3500 km), the compensation is up to €400.

To claim compensation, you should collect proof of the delay or cancellation, such as emails from the airline or photos of the departure board. Keep all your travel documents and ask the airline for the reason for the delay or cancellation. The airline should also cover the cost of meals and refreshments during the delay.

It is important to note that there are exceptions to compensation under EU law. For example, if the airport has to cancel flights due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control, such as dangerous weather conditions or air traffic control strikes, they are not obliged to pay compensation.

Frequently asked questions