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Vorfeld

Vorfeld

Our Historical Overview

Fraport AG, the owner and manager of FRA, Germany's biggest airport, looks back on a long tradition as a provider of airport services. Founded in 1924 under the name Südwestdeutsche Luftverkehrs AG, the company initially operated Frankfurt Airport at the Rebstock site. With the 1936 opening of Rhein-Main Airport adjacent to the Frankfurt Kreuz autobahn intersection, the core of what is today's Frankfurt Airport (FRA) started operations. In June 2001, Fraport (formerly Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG) was listed on the stock exchange. Meanwhile, Fraport is active in the airport management business on four continents to share the expertise gained at FRA over many decades.

Today, Frankfurt Airport is one of the world’s most important air transportation hubs and serves as the main European hub in the dense global network of the Star Alliance airlines. Frankfurt Airport not only has the reputation as a fast transfer airport but also boasts excellent intermodal connections, linking air, rail and road transportation. FRA is increasingly evolving into Frankfurt Airport City, an attractive business location and globally connected urban center.

Fraport & Frankfurt Airport: Historical Overview in pictures

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Foundation

1924

Founding of Südwestdeutsche Luftverkehrs AG.

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1924

Founding of Südwestdeutsche Luftverkehrs AG.

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Foundation
1924

1934

The Rebstock airfield gradually reaches its capacity limits.

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The Rebstock airfield gradually reaches its capacity limits.
1934

1936

Founding of Flug- und Luftschiffhafen Rhein-Main. The airships "Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg start scheduled flights to Rio de Janeiro and Lakehurst. July 8 marks the first scheduled Lufthansa flight with a JU 52.

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Founding of "Flug- und Luftschiffhafen Rhein-Main".
1936

1939 - 1945

The Rhein-Main airport is almost completely destroyed by bombs and explosives during World War Two.

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The Rhein-Main airport is almost completely destroyed by bombs and explosives during World War Two.
1939 - 1945

1945

Creation of the US Air Base.

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Creation of the US Air Base.
1945

1947

Founding of "Verkehrsaktien- gesellschaft Rhein-Main".

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Founding of "Verkehrsaktien- gesellschaft Rhein-Main".
1947

1949

Parallel runway system completed.

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Parallel runway system completed.
1949

1954

VAG changes corporate name to "Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG".

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VAG changes corporate name to "Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG".
1954

1961

Overnight mail network goes into operation.

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Overnight mail network goes into operation.
1961

1972

Inauguration of new terminal (today's Terminal 1) and airport railway station.

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Inauguration of new terminal (today's Terminal 1) and airport railway station.
1972

1984

On April 12, 1984, Runway West goes into service.

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On April 12, 1984, Runway West goes into service.
1984

1985

Inauguration of the Airlift Memorial at Frankfurt Airport.

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Inauguration of the Airlift Memorial at Frankfurt Airport.
1985

1992

RichtfestTerminal 2.

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RichtfestTerminal 2.
1992

1993

Agreement on step-by-step return of parts of US Air Base.

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Agreement on step-by-step return of parts of US Air Base.
1993

1994

Inauguration of Terminal 2 and Sky Line people-mover.

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nauguration of Terminal 2 and Sky Line people-mover.
1994

1995

Inauguration of Perishables Center and start of construction of CargoCity South.

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Inauguration of Perishables Center and start of construction of CargoCity South.
1995

1997

Commissioning of Pier D between the two terminals. Laying of the foundation stone for the new AIRail Terminal.

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Commissioning of Pier D between the two terminals. Laying of the foundation stone for the new AIRail Terminal.
1997

1998

Topping out ceremony for the new AIRail Terminal next to the A3 motorway (interstate highway).

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Topping out ceremony for the new AIRail Terminal next to the A3 motorway (interstate highway).
1998

1999

The new ICE railway station AIRail Terminal is opened.

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The new ICE railway station AIRail Terminal is opened.
1999

2000

Pier A at Terminal 1 is extended by 500 meters.

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Pier A at Terminal 1 is extended by 500 meters.
2000

2001

"Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG" changes its name to "Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide" and goes public.

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"Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG" changes its name to "Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide" and goes public.
2001

2002

Approval procedure for the expansion Frankfurt Airport officially started.

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Approval procedure for the expansion Frankfurt Airport officially started.
2002

2004

Official zoning decision issued for the A380 maintenance base at Frankfurt Airport.

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Official zoning decision issued for the A380 maintenance base at Frankfurt Airport.
2004

2005

Frankfurt Airport makes aviation history: FRA sees first landing ever of the Airbus A380 at an international commercial airport.

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FRA sees first landing ever of the Airbus A380 at an international commercial airport.
2005

2007

Foundation Ceremony AIRRAIL CENTER FRANKFURT.

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Foundation Ceremony AIRRAIL CENTER FRANKFURT.
2007

2008

A380 maintenance base - completion of 1st construction phase.

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A380 maintenance base - completion of 1st construction phase.
2008

2008

Inauguration of the new Pier C/D: Frankfurt Airport is a pioneer in simultaneous two-level passenger boarding.

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Inauguration of the new Pier C/D.
2008

2009

Construction of the new Runway Northwest begins as part of the expansion program.

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Construction of the new Runway Northwest begins as part of the expansion program.
2009

2009 - 2012

Construction of the new pier A-Plus offering a capacity for up to 6 million passengers.

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Construction of the new pier A-Plus offering a capacity for up to 6 million passengers.
2009 - 2012

2011

Inauguration of the new Runway Northwest at the start of the winter timetable 2011/12.

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Inauguration of the new Runway Northwest at the start of the winter timetable 2011/12.
2011

2012

Die 800 Meter lange westliche Erweiterung des Flugsteigs A wird in Betrieb genommen.

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Die 800 Meter lange westliche Erweiterung des Flugsteigs A wird in Betrieb genommen.
2012

2013

Opening of Fraport AG’s new corporate headquarters.

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Einweihung der neuen Unternehmenszentrale
2013
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