(FRANKFURT, GERMANY) Frankfurt Airport said it will open the long-awaited Terminal 3 on April 22, 2026, after passing all inspections and completing final construction steps. The first passenger flights from the new facility are set for April 23, 2026. Airport owner Fraport confirmed the timeline alongside details on capacity, airline moves, and months of trial operations meant to smooth the start. The project cost about €4 billion, one of Europe’s largest privately financed airport builds.
Overview of the launch and project scope
The operator plans to shift 57 airlines currently housed in Terminal 2 to the new site in four waves between late April and early June 2026. Carriers named by the airport include Air France, British Airways, Delta, and Emirates. Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners will continue to operate from Terminal 1.
After the move, Terminal 2 will close for a full makeover that is expected to last at least five years, into the early 2030s.
Fraport said Terminal 3 will start with an annual capacity of 19 million passengers, with room to grow to 25 million as demand increases. The facility includes:
- Three piers—G, H, and J
- A new Sky Line people mover linking Terminal 3 to the main terminal area
- A parking garage
- 21 security lanes with CT scanners designed to speed screening while improving detection
- A large mix of shops and food outlets
Operational timeline and key dates
Fraport set out a detailed ramp-up schedule and trial program to prepare staff and systems for the opening:
- October 2025
- Terminal 3 cleared all official checks, including fire protection, and is no longer considered a construction site.
- January 27 – April 16, 2026
- About 8,000 volunteer test passengers will take part in 21 days of trial operations to stress-test check-in, security, boarding, and baggage systems.
- April 22, 2026
- Official opening ceremony.
- April 23, 2026
- First flights depart from Terminal 3.
- April – early June 2026
- Four phased moves bring 57 airlines over from Terminal 2.
Fraport is still finishing safety systems, retail fit-outs, and baggage handling tests to prepare for the first operating day. The operator says the expansion will strengthen Frankfurt Airport’s role as a top European hub, with long-term plans to support more than 100 million passengers a year across the airport campus.
Background and delays
The new terminal has been years in the making. Ground broke in 2015, following a 2000 decision to expand after a lengthy mediation and planning process. The initial opening target, set for 2021–2022, slipped due to extended approval phases and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials say the project is now on a stable path, with test operations designed to catch and fix any remaining snags before April 2026.
Why the airline moves matter
Shifting so many airlines is central to the airport’s broader strategy:
- Free up Terminal 2 for a deep renovation lasting at least five years
- Cluster operations in newer facilities
- Balance passenger flows across terminals
For travelers, the change means they should check tickets and terminal details closely, especially during the first six weeks of staggered moves when airline locations will change in phases.
What travelers and airlines should expect
Airport managers emphasized that trial operations will simulate real travel days. Volunteers will run through check-in, security, boarding, and baggage claim to test systems and staff procedures. The aim is to keep opening-day disruptions to a minimum.
Fraport highlighted the new security area, noting that 21 lanes with advanced CT scanners are planned to help keep lines moving.
Terminal 3’s design focuses on scale and connections:
- Sky Line people mover to link the new terminal with the existing terminal area, easing transfers
- Large parking garage
- Three operational piers—G, H, and J
- Expandable capacity to reach 25 million passengers when required
Airline partners will receive detailed move dates and support for systems cutover and staff training. The four move waves between April and early June 2026 will help ground handlers, security teams, and carriers adapt step by step. Since Lufthansa and Star Alliance carriers stay at Terminal 1, alliance-based connections for those passengers will continue there.
Terminal 2, once emptied, will enter a long renovation phase extending into the early 2030s. The airport has not detailed interim uses for vacant spaces, keeping focus on Terminal 3’s launch and the airline migration.
Traveler advice and practical guidance
- Travelers planning spring and summer trips should check booking confirmations and airline notices closely.
- As carriers shift check-in and gates to Terminal 3, passengers must confirm their terminal on travel day.
- Those traveling on or soon after April 23, 2026 should allow extra time until traffic patterns settle and wayfinding becomes familiar.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, large terminal openings that include multi-week airline moves run more smoothly when airports:
- Stage thorough trial days
- Publish clear maps early
- Coordinate closely with carriers on staffing and ground transport needs
Fraport’s plan for 21 days of tests and four staged migration waves fits these best practices.
For visa information, travelers can consult the Federal Foreign Office’s official page for entry and visa information at the German Federal Foreign Office – Visa Service: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service. This resource provides current rules and consular contact points.
Public information and support channels
The airport operator maintains a public information portal for Terminal 3 and lists a general inquiries line (costs 20 cents per call within Germany). These channels will become more active as the opening date approaches, offering updates on:
- Airline moves
- Transport links
- Services inside the terminal
Investment rationale and readiness check
Fraport framed Terminal 3 as a long-term investment in Germany’s largest airport system. Highlights:
- €4 billion invested
- Initial capacity: 19 million passengers per year
- Modern security setup, transfer links, and retail areas aimed at improving traveler experience
By late October 2025, Terminal 3 had cleared official inspections, including fire protection checks—marking a major step toward operational status. Final fit-outs (security equipment, shop and dining buildouts, baggage system tests) continue into early 2026.
The focused testing window from January 27 to April 16, 2026 will let teams practice real-world scenarios and confirm readiness for opening week.
Key takeaway: Terminal 3 opens on April 22, 2026, with the first flights departing the next day. A carefully staged transfer of airlines will follow through early June, and travelers should monitor confirmations and allow extra time during the migration period.
As April 2026 nears, the airport will publish detailed airline move schedules and passenger guidance. For now, Frankfurt Airport is preparing for a major shift in campus operations—and Terminal 3 will soon be part of many travelers’ journeys.
This Article in a Nutshell
Frankfurt Airport will open its long-awaited Terminal 3 on April 22, 2026, with first flights on April 23. The €4 billion terminal, which cleared official inspections by October 2025, will start with capacity for 19 million passengers annually and can grow to 25 million. The facility includes three piers (G, H, J), a Sky Line people mover, a large parking garage, and 21 security lanes equipped with CT scanners. Fraport plans 21 days of trial operations using about 8,000 volunteer passengers from January 27 to April 16, 2026. Fifty-seven airlines currently in Terminal 2 will transfer in four waves between late April and early June 2026; Terminal 2 will then close for at least five years for renovation. Travelers should confirm terminal details and allow extra time during the migration period.
