Frankfurt airport has begun above-ground construction of its forthcoming Terminal 3, the first phase of which is scheduled to open in 2021.
Pier G will add capacity for five million passengers when it opens, followed by the main terminal building and Pier H and J in 2023.
At that stage the airport’s capacity will have risen by 21 million passengers, and there is an option for a further Pier (K) to be added at a later date, adding capacity for a further four million customers.
A cornerstone was laid to commemorate the start of above-ground construction, complete with a time capsule “To remind future generations of this milestone”.
Commenting on the terminal’s design, architect Christoph Mackler said:
“What passengers want before and after flying is, more than anything else, rest and relaxation. This was an essential leitmotif for designing Terminal 3, alongside maximizing the technical and functional flexibility of the building complex.
“The light-flooded interior spaces feature high-quality materials in warm natural hues to evoke a pleasant ambiance that invites passengers to relax and stay a while. In this respect, the new terminal will be the first of a new generation worldwide.”
Frankfurt airport is the busiest by passenger traffic in Germany – serving just under 70 million travellers in 2018, and the fourth largest in Europe behind London Heathrow, Paris CDG and Amsterdam Schiphol.
As Business Traveller has previously reported, flag carrier Lufthansa has become increasingly concerned about congestion at Frankfurt airport, as well as the facility’s strict curfew, which impacts on its late evening operations.
Last year the carrier said it would move some services from Frankfurt to its Munich hub, developing a focus on Asia.
More details on the terminal’s progress can be seen at terminal3.info
