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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's main international airport by passenger numbers, located in Frankfurt, Germany's fifth-largest city. The airport is centrally located in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, Germany's third-largest metropolitan region. Frankfurt Airport is the busiest airport by passenger traffic in Germany and the 6th busiest in Europe. The airport covers an area of 2,300 hectares of land and features two passenger terminals with a capacity for approximately 65 million passengers per year, four runways, and extensive logistics and maintenance facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Frankfurt Airport |
| Location | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Official Name | Frankfurt Main Airport |
| Operator | Fraport |
| Main Hub For | Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa Cargo, Condor, AeroLogic |
| Area | 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Passenger Capacity | Approximately 65 million per year |
| Destinations Served | 330 in 5 continents |
| Former Airport on Site | Rhein-Main Air Base |
| Year of Opening | 1909 |
| COVID-19 Response | Implementation of safety measures, such as social distancing, sanitization, and new technologies |
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What You'll Learn
Frankfurt Airport is Germany's busiest airport by passenger traffic
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's busiest airport by passenger traffic. It is located in Frankfurt, Germany's fifth-largest city, and covers an area of 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) of land. The airport features two passenger terminals with a capacity of approximately 65 million passengers per year, four runways, and extensive logistics and maintenance facilities. Frankfurt Airport is not only Germany's busiest airport but also a major international airline hub, serving as the main hub for Lufthansa, Condor, and AeroLogic.
The history of Frankfurt Airport as a major international airline hub can be traced back to 1958 when a new passenger terminal, Empfangsanlage Ost (Terminal East), opened. However, this terminal quickly proved too small, and by 1961 Frankfurt Airport was already handling 2.2 million passengers and 81,000 take-offs and landings, making it the second busiest airport in Europe after Heathrow Airport in London. To accommodate the growing demand, a larger terminal with a capacity of 30 million passengers per year was constructed and opened in 1970. This terminal, known as Terminal Mitte (Central Terminal) or Terminal 1, is divided into three concourses (A, B, and C) with 56 gates.
Frankfurt Airport's growth continued, and in 1990, construction began on a new terminal, Terminal 2, to the east of Terminal Mitte. With the opening of Terminal 2 in 1994, the airport's total capacity increased to 54 million passengers per year. Today, Frankfurt Airport serves 330 destinations in five continents, offering the most direct routes in the world. In 2018, passenger traffic at the airport reached 69,510,269, and it is currently in the process of constructing a third terminal, scheduled to open in 2026.
Frankfurt Airport's central location in Germany and Europe contributes to its status as a major transport hub. It is surrounded by the Frankfurt City Forest and is centrally located in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, Germany's third-largest metropolitan region. The region itself is centrally located in the densely populated west-central European megalopolis. Additionally, Frankfurt Central Station, one of the largest rail stations in Europe, and Frankfurter Kreuz, the most heavily used interchange in the EU, further enhance Frankfurt's role as a transportation hub.
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Frankfurt Airport is located 12km from central Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (IATA: FRA) is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) southwest of central Frankfurt, Germany. The airport grounds form a city district of Frankfurt named Frankfurt-Flughafen, which is surrounded by the Frankfurt City Forest. Frankfurt Airport is Germany's main international airport by passenger numbers, located in Frankfurt, Germany's fifth-largest city. The airport is operated by Fraport and serves as the main hub for Lufthansa, Condor, and AeroLogic. It covers an area of 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) and features two passenger terminals, four runways, and extensive logistics and maintenance facilities.
Frankfurt Airport has a long history, with the world's first airline, Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft (DELAG), founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1909. DELAG built the first airport in Frankfurt, called Airship Base at Rebstock, which opened in 1912. However, by 1924, an expert's report questioned the possibility of further expansions at this location. With the rapid growth of civilian air travel, the airship base became too small. Plans for a new and larger airport were approved in 1930 but were not realised due to the Great Depression. It wasn't until 1958, with the opening of a new passenger terminal, that Frankfurt Airport emerged as a major international airline hub.
Frankfurt Airport has undergone significant development over the years, including the construction of Terminal 2 in 1994, increasing the terminal capacity to 54 million passengers per year. The airport celebrated its 80th anniversary in July 2016 and has continued to expand and enhance its facilities. Today, it serves 330 destinations across five continents, offering the most direct routes globally.
Frankfurt Airport is easily accessible by various transportation options. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 can be reached by bicycle, and the newly built Terminal 3 will also be bicycle-friendly. Underground multilevel parking garages are available for passengers driving their own cars, and a long-term holiday parking lot is located south of the runways with a shuttle bus connection to the terminals. Additionally, several transport companies provide bus services to the airport from surrounding areas, and coach services are available for long-distance destinations.
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Frankfurt Airport has two passenger terminals
Frankfurt Airport, Germany's main international airport, has two large main passenger terminals (Terminals 1 and 2), with a third under construction. Terminal 1 is the older and larger of the two, with a capacity of approximately 50 million passengers per year. It is divided into three levels: the departures level on the upper floor with check-in counters, the arrivals level with baggage claim areas on the ground floor, and a distribution floor underneath with access to the regional train station. Terminal 1 is home to gates A, B, C, and Z, and has a passageway to the long-distance and regional train stations and the bus station. Terminal 2 is divided into concourses D and E and consists of gates D and E. Both terminals are only a few minutes away from each other by shuttle bus or the SkyLine people mover system.
Frankfurt Airport is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) southwest of central Frankfurt, near the Autobahn interchange Frankfurter Kreuz, where two of Europe's most heavily used motorways (A3 and A5) meet. The airport grounds form a city district of Frankfurt named Frankfurt-Flughafen and are surrounded by the Frankfurt City Forest. The airport covers an area of 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) and features four runways and extensive logistics and maintenance facilities. It serves as a major transport node for the greater region, with strong rail and motorway connections.
The airport is operated by Fraport and serves as the main hub for Lufthansa, including Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, and Lufthansa Cargo, as well as Condor and AeroLogic. Frankfurt Airport is the busiest airport by passenger traffic in Germany and the 6th busiest in Europe, handling nearly 70 million passengers in 2018. It also boasts the most direct routes in the world, serving 330 destinations across 5 continents as of 2022.
The history of Frankfurt Airport as a major international airline hub can be traced back to 1958 when the Empfangsanlage Ost (Terminal East) opened. However, this terminal quickly proved too small, and by 1962, plans were made to build a larger terminal with a capacity of 30 million passengers per year. Construction began in 1965, and the new Terminal Mitte (Central Terminal, now known as Terminal 1) opened in 1970. As demand continued to grow, work on Terminal 2 began in 1990, and it opened in 1994, increasing the airport's total capacity to 54 million passengers per year.
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Frankfurt Airport has a free service called 'FRA SmartWay'
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's main international airport, located in Frankfurt, Germany's fifth-largest city. The airport is centrally located in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, Germany's third-largest metropolitan region. Frankfurt Airport is the busiest airport by passenger traffic in Germany and the 6th busiest in Europe.
Frankfurt Airport has a free service called FRA SmartWay, which allows travellers to reserve a time slot to walk through the security checkpoint. This helps travellers plan ahead and have a more predictable, seamless, and relaxed travel experience. The service is available at Terminal 1 Security Control A, Terminal 1 Security Control B-West, and Terminal 2 Schengen Security Control.
To use FRA SmartWay, travellers can visit the dedicated website and enter their flight details, the size of their party, and select a reservation time. After providing their email and confirming their details, they will receive a confirmation email. On the day of travel, they can proceed to the FRA SmartWay lane at the security checkpoint by showing their boarding pass. It is important to ensure that the name provided during booking matches the name on the flight booking for a seamless experience.
The FRA SmartWay service is available 7 days a week, and travellers can book a slot up to 72 hours in advance. This service helps travellers avoid lengthy waiting times and provides exclusive access to security checkpoints. It is recommended to book early, as there are a limited number of slots available. Families travelling together can book a joint slot, and children up to four years of age can accompany a legal guardian with a booked slot.
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Frankfurt Airport is served by Lufthansa and Condor
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's main international airport by passenger numbers. It is located in Frankfurt, Germany's fifth-largest city, and covers an area of 2,300 hectares (5,683 acres) of land. The airport features two passenger terminals with a capacity of approximately 65 million passengers per year, four runways, and extensive logistics and maintenance facilities. Frankfurt Airport is served by several airlines, including Lufthansa and Condor.
Lufthansa, including Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, and Lufthansa Cargo, is one of the main airlines serving Frankfurt Airport. The airport serves as a major hub for Lufthansa, offering flights to various destinations worldwide. In January 2025, Lufthansa was directed by the European Commission (EC) to reinstate Condor's access to its feed traffic to and from Frankfurt. This decision was made in the context of an investigation into potential competition restrictions on transatlantic routes.
Condor is another airline that utilizes Frankfurt Airport as a base. Condor offers both intra-European and intercontinental routes, including flights to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the United States. Condor typically operates from Terminal 1C at Frankfurt Airport, and passengers transferring to other airlines, such as Lufthansa, can follow the transfer signs within the airport.
Frankfurt Airport is a significant transport hub, centrally located in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, Germany's third-largest metropolitan area. The airport is well-connected by road and rail, providing easy access to nearby cities such as Cologne, the Ruhr Area, and Stuttgart. With its extensive network of airlines, including Lufthansa and Condor, Frankfurt Airport facilitates travel to a wide range of domestic, European, and international destinations.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Frankfurt Airport is FRA.
Frankfurt Airport is located in Frankfurt, Germany. It is centrally located in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region, Germany's third-largest metropolitan region.
Frankfurt Airport is Germany's main international airport by passenger numbers. It is the busiest airport in Germany and the 6th busiest in Europe. In 2018, the airport handled nearly 70 million passengers.
Frankfurt Airport has implemented a COVID-19 response plan to ensure a safe environment for staff and travellers. From the 2025 summer flight schedule, easyJet will also be flying directly from Frankfurt to Rome and Milan.
