Fall break will begin soon in Hesse and in other German states, which also means increased passenger volumes at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Between October 2 and 18, Fraport – the operator of Frankfurt Airport – is expecting around 3.5 million passengers. In the first fall break weekend (October 2–4) alone, Fraport estimates that approximately 650,000 people will fly through FRA.

Plan in more time for border checks
Due to increased passenger numbers at Frankfurt Airport, travelers from non-EU countries, in particular, could see longer wait times at border checkpoints. This extra processing time is due to additional European Union requirements on data collection as part of the Entry/Exit System (EES). Non-EU travelers are therefore highly encouraged to plan in more time for the border control checks.

“The EES improves European security as well as border protection and Fraport supports its implementation, including providing additional personnel,” stated a Fraport spokesperson. “Nevertheless, the EES requirements for entering and leaving the EU are resulting in longer wait times at border checks, especially for non-EU citizens. This is why we are advising passengers from non-EU countries, in particular, to allow adequate time for the necessary procedures and to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their departure time.”

Travelers from EU states or countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, as well as people with a German residence permit, could also experience longer wait times as a result of these new regulations and, if they are traveling to countries outside of the Schengen Area, should arrive at the airport three hours prior to departure. These passengers are allowed to use the EasyPASS automated border control system, which reduces wait times at the border checkpoints.

For passengers who are not required to pass through border control, the recommended arrival time is slightly reduced: Fraport recommends that passengers with checked luggage arrive at the airport two-and-a-half hours before their departure time, and for passengers traveling only with hand luggage, around two hours. More information on border controls can be found here.

Plan for security screening in advance
Passengers can also plan for the security checkpoints before they arrive at the airport. Through the FRA SmartWay service, they can reserve a security time slot free of charge. In this time slot, they will have access to an exclusive fast-track security line, which makes it much easier to plan their time at the airport.

Passengers flying out of Terminal 3 and the majority of passengers who begin their journey in Terminal 1 now benefit from the modern CT technology available at the security checkpoints. At these checkpoints, liquids in containers up to two liters do not need to be removed for separate screening. Both liquids and electronic devices can be left in luggage as passengers go through security. Nevertheless, passengers should familiarize themselves with the current regulations on bringing liquids.

Online check-in and easy bag drop
Many airlines allow passengers to check in online as early as 24 hours before departure. Passengers with bags to check can use the Fast Bag Drop machines. Some airlines also make it possible to drop off checked luggage as early as 23 hours before departure. Information on which airlines offer this service can be found in the airport’s Airline Overview. Passengers flying Lufthansa, Condor, Discover Airlines, and SWISS can also use the Airportr service, which picks up luggage at home and checks it in.

Reserve a parking space well in advance
Those arriving at the airport by car are advised to reserve a parking space well in advance. In this busy travel season, a parking reservation makes planning easier and may offer additional savings. Meeters and greeters can also use the terminal parking structures for dropping off and picking up passengers. Public transportation is a convenient alternative for reaching the airport, particularly via rail connections operated by Deutsche Bahn.

Before beginning their journey, passengers should also ensure that they are familiar with the current regulations of their airline and their destination country. Information on planning a trip and other travel considerations can be found in our Travel Guide and the Frankfurt Airport AI Assistant. Additional information about flying through Frankfurt Airport can be found at www.frankfurt-airport.com.

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