With Condor scheduled to move to the new Terminal 3 in April 2027, Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport expects a significant improvement in operations at Terminal 1. Separating the hub operations of Lufthansa and Condor between the two terminals is expected to make ground handling more efficient. Gate utilization, aircraft positioning and staffing levels are among the areas likely to benefit.
Condor’s Move Expected to Ease Pressure on Terminal 1
Lufthansa and Condor are among the largest airlines at Frankfurt Airport. Both currently operate from Terminal 1, where their parallel hub operations have increasingly put pressure on the available infrastructure. In particular, the limited number of suitable aircraft stands has meant that some aircraft have had to be handled at positions located far from the terminal.
With Condor moving to Terminal 3, aircraft are expected to be parked closer to the terminal more frequently. Fraport anticipates fewer apron bus transfers and a reduced need for ground handling staff as a result.
Terminal 1 Faces Capacity ConstraintsTerminal 1 has served as Frankfurt Airport’s main terminal complex since opening in 1972. In 2012, the addition of Lufthansa’s A-Plus pier increased its capacity by approximately six million passengers per year, bringing the total to around 40 million.
However, growing air traffic and the simultaneous hub operations of Lufthansa and Condor have once again placed increasing pressure on the infrastructure. Fraport therefore expects more efficient operations during the 2027 summer flight schedule. The demand for staff and apron buses at Terminal 1 is expected to decrease. Passengers could also benefit from more frequent boarding and disembarkation via passenger boarding bridges rather than being transported by bus.
Condor to Become the Largest Airline at Terminal 3
Condor carries approximately ten million passengers annually, a significant proportion of whom travel through Frankfurt. At Terminal 3, the airline is expected to account for around 30 percent of passenger traffic, making it the largest operator among the more than 50 airlines based there.
The new terminal will feature a central check-in area and a dedicated Condor zone. Preparations for the relocation are already underway. The transfer of aircraft handling operations to Terminal 3 is also expected to reshape operational processes across the airport.
Skyline Train Expected to Return to Full Capacity by Summer 2027
The connection between the two terminals will play an important role. The new Skyline train links Terminal 1 with Terminal 3 and is particularly relevant for passengers arriving at the airport by rail.
Following technical issues and a temporary suspension of operations, the service currently runs with six rather than eight carriages and a reduced maximum speed of 50 km/h instead of 80 km/h. Fraport is working with Siemens Mobility to restore full capacity by summer 2027.
During the long-term restructuring of Frankfurt Airport’s terminal infrastructure, Fraport plans to combine Terminal 1 and the currently closed Terminal 2 into a larger complex for Lufthansa and the Star Alliance during the 2030s. Condor’s relocation is therefore an important step in restructuring Frankfurt Airport’s terminal infrastructure and is expected to contribute to more efficient operations as early as 2027.
