October 8, 2025
Frankfurt Airport’s New Terminal 3 to Be Inaugurated on April 22
Inspections by the authorities successfully concluded – Remaining work now being done – Preparations underway for trial operation with volunteers
Fraport AG will officially inaugurate the new Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport on April 22, 2026. The airport operator has just reached one of the expansion project’s key milestones by passing the official inspections, which include fire protection. As a result, the new terminal is now officially no longer a construction site – and Fraport can focus on getting it ready to start operations.
“This is a very special moment for Fraport and also for me personally,” said Dr. Stefan Schulte, Fraport AG’s CEO. “We held the groundbreaking ceremony for Terminal 3 ten years ago, and today we’re standing in one of Europe’s most advanced airport facilities with our sights set firmly on its inauguration on April 22. My thanks and respect go to everyone who has been involved in the project and also to the responsible authorities, all of which have contributed to the success of this mammoth construction project. I’m already looking forward to welcoming the first guests at Terminal 3.”
Final installations and test runs
Now that the authorities have given the green light, Fraport is entering the final stage of the work. Among other things, it includes installing the security check lanes (there will be a total of 21) with state-of-the-art CT scanners, completing the food and shopping areas, and ongoing testing of the baggage handling system. At the same time, Fraport is making preparations for comprehensive test operation of the new infrastructure. On 21 days between January 27 and April 16, 2026, around 8,000 test passengers are putting the terminal through its paces to make sure that all of its processes mesh seamlessly.
Successful construction despite huge challenges
Frankfurt Airport’s new terminal has taken shape during the decade since the groundbreaking ceremony in October 2015. In its initial configuration with Piers G, H and J it will have capacity for up to 19 million passengers a year. Fraport Ausbau Süd GmbH (FAS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraport AG, has been in charge of the construction work. Harald Rohr, the technical director of FAS, explained: “The successful conclusion of this huge project under very challenging conditions sends the strong message that, despite the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and massive disruptions of global supply chains, we’ve succeeded in implementing the new terminal on schedule and on budget.”
“Credit for this success goes to the strong team spirit and commitment of everyone involved. I’m proud of the performance of every single one of them,” adds Stephanie Pudwitz, the commercial director of FAS.
After the new terminal opens in the south of Frankfurt Airport in April, airlines will begin using it to operate flights to and from Schengen and non-Schengen destinations. A total of 57 airlines currently based in Terminal 2 will move to Terminal 3 in four phases between mid-April and early June.
