After nearly a decade of construction and an investment of four billion euros, Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 3 is finally entering the final phase of preparations before opening to passengers. The new complex, operated by Fraport, represents one of the largest privately financed infrastructure projects in Europe. The official opening is scheduled for April 22, 2026, with the first regular flight set to depart the following day, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Germany’s largest airport.
According to Fraport CEO Stefan Schulte, a total of 57 airlines currently operating from Terminal 2 will gradually move to Terminal 3 — primarily members of the oneworld and SkyTeam alliances, as well as several independent carriers. The relocation will take place in four phases, after which Terminal 2, opened thirty years ago, will close for a five-year full renovation. Once refurbished, it will rejoin Terminal 1 as part of the hub for Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners.
Terminal 3 is impressive in scale: its total area exceeds 400,000 square meters, with 176,000 square meters dedicated to passenger facilities. Construction used around 112,000 tons of steel, and during peak activity, up to 3,000 workers were on-site daily. The project follows a modular design, allowing future expansion depending on traffic growth. The current layout includes three main sections: concourses H and J, under construction since 2015 and opening in 2026; concourse G, structurally completed in 2022; and a reserved area for a future concourse K.
In its initial phase, Terminal 3 will have a capacity of around 19 million passengers per year, with full capacity reaching up to 25 million. Before welcoming its first travelers, Fraport plans a comprehensive testing phase of all operational systems. Between late January and mid-April 2026, simulations will involve about 8,000 people who will test every step of the passenger journey — from arrival by car or the new Sky Line rail, to check-in, security screening, and boarding. The trials will also include arrival and transfer procedures, and participants will receive compensation ranging from €69.50 to €83.40 per day.
Special attention has been given to transport connections and sustainability. Ten kilometers of new roads have been built, including a link between Zeppelinheim and Gateway Gardens and upgrades to the A5 motorway interchange. A multi-storey car park with 8,500 spaces has been constructed next to the terminal. The new Sky Line automated people mover will connect Terminal 3 with the rest of the airport along a 5.6-kilometer route, operating at speeds of up to 80 km/h and capable of carrying more than 4,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The journey between terminals 1 and 2 and the new Terminal 3 will take eight minutes.
Fraport notes that more than half of all construction contracts were awarded to companies located within 150 kilometers of Frankfurt, giving the project a strong boost to the regional economy. The terminal’s design emphasizes efficiency, modularity, and energy sustainability, with state-of-the-art digital systems integrated throughout to manage check-in, processing, and passenger flow.
With the completion of Terminal 3, Frankfurt Airport will further strengthen its position as one of Europe’s key hubs. The new facility blends contemporary architecture, advanced technology, and German precision, representing a new generation of passenger experience and ushering in a new era for European aviation.
