Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport
source
Name	Frankfurt Airport
IATA	FRA
ICAO	EDDF
Owner	Fraport
City-served	Frankfurt
Location	Frankfurt
Hub	*Lufthansa *Lufthansa Cargo *Condor Flugdienst *AeroLogic
Elevation-f	364
Elevation-m	111
Coordinates	50, 02, 00, N...
Website	https://www.frankfurt-airport.com

Frankfurt Airport. Located in the heart of Europe, it is the primary international gateway to Germany and a central hub for global air travel. As the busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic and cargo volume, it serves as the main hub for the national flag carrier Lufthansa and its subsidiaries. Its strategic position and extensive network make it a critical node in the worldwide aviation system, facilitating connections across continents.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the early 20th century, with the Rhein-Main Air Base playing a significant role in its development, particularly after World War II. Major expansion began in the 1970s with the construction of the distinctive midfield terminals, designed by the architectural firm ABBS Architekten. A pivotal moment was the opening of Terminal 1 in 1972, which consolidated operations and set the stage for future growth. The airport has continually evolved, with the later addition of the The Squaire office complex and major upgrades to accommodate the Airbus A380.

Facilities and terminals

The airport operates two major passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, connected by the automated people mover SkyLine. Terminal 1, divided into concourses A, B, C, and Z, is primarily used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. Terminal 2, with concourses D and E, hosts other airlines including members of SkyTeam and oneworld. Cargo operations are centered around the Frankfurt Airport CargoCity, one of the world's leading airfreight hubs. Notable features include the Fraport-owned Frankfurt Airport long-distance station and extensive maintenance facilities for wide-body aircraft.

Airlines and destinations

As a premier global hub, the airport is dominated by its home carrier Lufthansa, which operates an extensive network to destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and South America. It is also a key base for Lufthansa CityLine and Lufthansa Cargo. Other significant resident carriers include leisure airline Condor Flugdienst and cargo operators AeroLogic and Turkish Cargo. The airport serves as a major European gateway for numerous international airlines such as United Airlines, Air China, and Emirates, offering non-stop flights to major cities worldwide.

Statistics

Consistently ranking among the top airports in Europe, it handled over 70 million passengers annually in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of cargo, it regularly processes over 2 million metric tons, making it the busiest airport for cargo traffic in Europe. It is a critical employment center for the Rhine-Main region, with tens of thousands of people working directly on-site for companies like Fraport, Lufthansa, and Deutsche Bundesbank. Its air traffic control tower, one of the tallest in the world, manages a vast number of aircraft movements each year.

Ground transportation

The airport is exceptionally well-integrated into Germany's transport infrastructure. It features two major railway stations: the Frankfurt Airport long-distance station for Intercity-Express (ICE) high-speed trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, and a regional station. This provides direct connections to cities like Cologne, Stuttgart, and Hamburg. Local public transport is served by S-Bahn and Regionalbahn trains, as well as buses and trams linking to Frankfurt Central Station and Wiesbaden. An extensive network of autobahns, including the A3 and A5, provides direct road access.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation safety events. A significant accident occurred in 1972, when a Ilyushin Il-62 operated by Interflug crashed during approach, resulting in numerous fatalities. In 1993, a Lufthansa Airbus A320 overran the runway in poor weather. A major emergency response was triggered in 2011 when an Air France Airbus A340 burst into flames after a ground collision with a Comair aircraft. These events have contributed to ongoing advancements in safety protocols and infrastructure design at major international hubs.

Category:Airports in Germany Category:Transport in Frankfurt Category:Buildings and structures in Hesse