Frankfurt Hahn Airport: A Compact Travel Hub

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport (HHN), formerly known as Hahn Airport, is located in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The airport is approximately 120 km from Frankfurt and is a popular choice for those travelling to nearby cities like Koblenz, Mainz, and Luxembourg. Frankfurt–Hahn Airport is a hub for low-cost carriers, with Ryanair and Wizz Air being the primary operators. The airport features two passenger terminals and has a capacity of around 2 million passengers annually, although it served only 1.4 to 1.5 million passengers in 2019. Frankfurt–Hahn Airport also serves as a prominent cargo airport, handling 156,000 tons of cargo in 2019.

Location and distance from Frankfurt

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport (IATA: HHN, ICAO: EDFH) is located in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The airport is equidistant between Frankfurt and Luxembourg, with a distance of about 75 miles (120 kilometres) to each city by road. The closest major cities to the airport are Koblenz, approximately 43 miles (70 kilometres) away, and Mainz, about 56 miles (90 kilometres) away.

The distance between Frankfurt–Hahn Airport and Frankfurt am Main is approximately 77 miles (124 kilometres) by road. The driving time between these two locations is roughly 1 hour and 17 minutes to 1 hour and 21 minutes. However, it is important to note that the travel time may vary depending on traffic and road conditions.

There are several options for travelling between Frankfurt–Hahn Airport and Frankfurt am Main. One popular choice is the direct bus service operated by Flibco, which departs every two hours and takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. The bus ticket costs between $16 and $23. Another option is to utilise a ridesharing service like Blablacar, which can be a convenient choice if you don't have a driver's licence or prefer to avoid public transportation.

Frankfurt am Main, officially known as Frankfurt, is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. With about 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022, it is the fifth-most populous city in Germany and the only city in the country designated as an "alpha world city". Frankfurt am Main is situated in the foreland of the Taunus and forms a continuous conurbation with the neighbouring city of Offenbach am Main, resulting in an urban area with a population of over 2.3 million people.

Passenger numbers

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, formerly known as Hahn Airport, is located in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Frankfurt and Luxembourg, with the closest major cities being Koblenz and Mainz.

The airport commenced civilian operations in 1993, and passenger numbers quickly grew, exceeding the capacity of the facility. In 1999, construction began on a new passenger terminal, which opened in March 2000, providing additional space, shops, restaurants, and facilities.

In 2001, Ryanair began using the airport as a second base for its European operations, and at their request, the airport's name was changed to Frankfurt–Hahn Airport. This name change sparked legal proceedings from Lufthansa, who claimed false advertising. Ryanair was allowed to keep the name but had to clarify the airport's distance from Frankfurt in its advertising.

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years. In 2007, the airport served over four million passengers, with nearly 41,000 flights, or approximately 60 flights per day. By 2016, passenger numbers had increased to 2.6 million. However, in 2019, the airport saw a significant decrease in passenger traffic, serving only 1.4 million passengers. The airport typically handles around two million passengers annually, and it is a popular choice for those travelling to nearby cities like Koblenz, Mainz, and Luxembourg.

In recent years, the airport has faced financial challenges, with decreasing passenger and cargo traffic. In 2014, the German government provided €80 million to prevent bankruptcy, and in 2015, several cargo companies ceased operations at the airport. Despite these setbacks, Frankfurt–Hahn Airport remains a prominent cargo hub due to its 24-hour operating licence and has experienced a steady increase in passenger numbers since its opening.

Cargo

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, now known simply as Hahn Airport, is a prominent cargo airport. The airport, which is located in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is approximately 120 km (75 mi) from Frankfurt and Luxembourg by road. It is equidistant between the two cities.

Hahn Airport has four cargo terminals and a 24-hour operating licence, which makes it a key cargo hub in Germany. In 2007, Etihad Cargo switched its German freighter services from Frankfurt International Airport to Hahn Airport. In 2009, a cargo flight departing from Hahn using the Antonov 225 set the world record for the heaviest single piece of air cargo: a 189.98-tonne generator for a fossil fuel power station in Armenia.

In 2013, Etihad Cargo, a major customer of the airport, relocated its cargo operations from Hahn to Frankfurt Airport. In March 2015, Yangtze River Express, the airport's largest freight customer, ceased its cargo operations at Hahn in favour of Munich Airport. However, in 2017, Suparna (formerly known as Yangtze River Express) began operating a 747-400F at the airport, and AirBridgeCargo and Etihad also expanded their cargo operations.

Skyline Air Services, an independent Cargo General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA), is located at Hahn Airport, among other cities throughout Germany and the world.

Airlines and destinations

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport (IATA: HHN, ICAO: EDFH) is an international airport in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The airport is 120km (75mi) from Frankfurt and Luxembourg, with the closest major cities being Koblenz (70km, 43mi) and Mainz (90km, 56mi).

The airport is an important hub for low-cost airlines and charter flights. Ryanair is the largest airline operating at the airport, with around 110 scheduled take-offs every week. Wizz Air is the second-biggest airline, with 11 times fewer departures than Ryanair. In 2025, Wizz Air will fly to Bucharest and Varna from Hahn Airport. Other airlines that operate at the airport include Lufthansa, Etihad Cargo, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport offers popular routes for both one-way trips or return journeys to some of the most famous cities in the world. The most frequently departed route is to London (STN) in the United Kingdom, with an average of 12 flights from Frankfurt Hahn every week.

The airport served 1.4 million passengers in 2019, down from 2.6 million in 2016. It is also a prominent cargo airport, with a turnover of 156,000 tons of cargo in 2019.

Transport to and from the airport

Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, located in the municipality of Hahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is approximately 120 kilometres from Frankfurt and Luxembourg. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with various transportation options available for commuting to and from the airport.

Buses

Several bus lines connect the airport with cities in Hunsrück and other metropolises. Specific bus connections include:

• Via Blankenrath and Zell
• Bullay
• Via Frankfurt Airport
• Frankfurt
• Via Kastellaun and Emmelshausen
• Koblenz
• With a connection to Bad Kreuznach, Bingen, and Wiesbaden
• Mainz
• Via Neunkirchen and Saarbrücken
• Saarlouis
• Via Büchenbeuren, Sohren, and Kirchberg, with a connection to Bingen and Bad Kreuznach
• Simmern

Flibco.com also offers a shuttle bus service between Frankfurt and Hahn Airport. This service is known for being eco-friendly, fast, reliable, and affordable. Tickets can be purchased online, and passengers can carry as much luggage as they want. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Car

Frankfurt Hahn Airport is located 115 kilometres west of Frankfurt city centre, making it accessible by car. However, driving may involve traffic and parking issues.

Flight

As an international airport, Frankfurt Hahn Airport offers flights to various destinations. Notable airlines that operate commercial passenger services to and from the airport include Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Etihad Cargo.

Frequently asked questions