FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Operational tests for the new Passenger Terminal 3 have begun at Frankfurt Airport. On Tuesday, more than 200 volunteers trialed individual stations such as immigration, check-in, and passport control.
The building, with an annual capacity of around 19 million passengers, is scheduled to open in just under three months on April 22. Stefan Schulte, CEO of the operator Fraport, has promised airlines and their passengers smooth operations and a "feel-good factor" thanks to modern facilities. The first flights are planned for April 23.
By then, around 8,000 extras and employees from authorities, airlines, and other service providers will have tested a wide range of processes. Every Tuesday and Thursday, procedures such as baggage drop-off, check-in, security checks, and the boarding process are being put to the test.
On certain days, up to 1,000 test participants are involved, all selected through an elaborate process. According to Fraport, both digitally savvy younger people and older individuals who prefer more analog information are taking part.
By summer, airlines currently based at the aging Terminal 2 are set to move into Terminal 3 in four phases. This mainly involves airlines from the alliances around British Airways and Air France-KLM, as well as the Arab carriers Etihad and Emirates. The member airlines of the Lufthansa-led Star Alliance will remain in Terminal 1./ceb/DP/mis
