Work begins on transformation of Frankfurt’s Terminal 2

As planned following the opening of its new Terminal 3, Frankfurt Airport today suspended operations in Terminal 2 to allow it to be upgraded.

Operator, Fraport, notes that the building and its technical systems are going to be comprehensively renovated and modernised during a €1.5 billion transformation programme.

It says: “After more than 30 years of intensive use since its inauguration in 1994, Terminal 2 is in need of a thorough makeover.

“Prior to this it had only been possible to take appropriate steps without interrupting operations. Now, however, thanks to the recent inauguration of Terminal 3 and the additional capacities that are now available there, the ideal time has come to thoroughly and efficiently upgrade it.

“By temporarily closing Terminal 2 for this project, Fraport is meeting the prerequisites for significantly upgrading the airport’s infrastructure.”

All of the airlines that were based at Terminal 2 have already moved to the new Terminal 3 in several waves.

Some important infrastructure – including apron positions, the baggage conveyor system, the underground parking garage and the Sky Line people mover – will continue operating. The connections among the terminals will also remain in place.

The modernisation programme involves completely renovating the building’s essential security and technical systems, including the fire alarm and smoke removal systems, energy systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and building automation.

Fraport notes that important parts of the existing infrastructure will be concurrently renovated and updated, including vertical transportation systems such as elevators and escalators as well as sanitary facilities and offices.

It adds that it will also take advantage of this opportunity to restructure and adapt functional processes in the terminal in anticipation of the requirements that an international aviation hub like Frankfurt Airport will need to meet going forward.

According to the airport operator, this will includes optimising security processes by centralising the passenger checkpoints, channelling passenger flows for greater efficiency, and more flexibly utilising retail areas for various traffic streams.

“The terminal’s temporary closure will let us systematically upgrade our airport’s infrastructure while improving its performance and making it more sustainable and comfortable at the same time,” comments Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm, Fraport AG’s chief technical officer.

“After Terminal 2 has been modernised, it will be a central component of our future hub system – with state-of-the-art processes, greater flexibility and a significantly improved travel experience for our passengers.”

Work will begin with the preparations for renovating the terminal, with the main construction work currently scheduled to begin in 2030.

The plan is for Terminal 2 to resume operating in the mid-2030s with capacity for more than 10 million passengers annually, providing good growth prospects for the airlines of the Star Alliance and others.