Etihad Airways operated the first departure from Frankfurt Airport’s new Terminal 3 on April 23, 2026. Flight EY122, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Abu Dhabi, marked the start of operations at the €4 billion facility. The German hub’s largest expansion in over thirty years is now open for operations, aimed at increasing capacity by 19 million annually and increasing to 25 million after full completion.
Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe’s largest aviation hubs, which has needed expansion for years. The new terminal will enable the airport to keep up with increased demand and remain competitive with global hubs across Europe and the Middle East.
Enhancing the passenger experience
Once fully complete, Frankfurt Airport will be able to handle a total yearly capacity of more than 80 million. This expansion firmly places the airport in the same league as London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and the rapidly growing Istanbul Airport.
Breaking ground in 2015, Frankfurt Airport’s new Terminal 3 used 112,000 tons of steel during construction, has a footprint of 176,000 square metres, and floor space reaching 403,000 square metres. This is larger than London Heathrow’s Terminal 5, which has 353,000 square metres.
The design focuses on efficiency and passenger experience. For travellers, this means shorter security queues thanks to state-of-the-art CT scanning technology and a streamlined 6,000 square metre marketplace for dining and retail. Connections to existing terminals are also possible with a new automated SkyLine train system, linking Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Speaking at the opening, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport AG, Dr. Stefan Schulte, said: “Today is a special day – for Fraport, for Frankfurt, for Hesse, and far beyond. With the inauguration of our Terminal 3, one of Europe’s most advanced terminals, we are positioning ourselves for long-term success. This brand-new structure is more than just a major step forward in our airport’s evolution; it also stands as a symbol of the outstanding collaboration among all those involved in the project. Each of them has contributed to its success with their expertise, lifeblood, and abilities.”
Airlines operating from Frankfurt Terminal 3
The opening marks a major shift for international carriers, particularly those from the Middle East and Asia. According to airport officials, a specific group of premium airlines is the first to transition its operations to the new southern terminal.
Passengers flying with Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways will now depart from the modern gates of Terminal 3. They are joined by other carriers, including Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, and China Southern. Other airline already moved include Korean Air, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Saudia, and Korean budget carrier T'way Airlines.
A full list of airline moves can be found here.
A strategic growth plan for Frankfurt
This expansion is more than just a logistical upgrade. For years, European hubs have watched as connecting traffic was lured away by the newer, more efficient facilities in Dubai and Doha. Terminal 3 is Frankfurt’s answer to this trend. By offering a high-tech, passenger-centric hub in the heart of Europe, the airport is attempting to reclaim its status as the premier gateway for long-haul transit.
With Terminal 3 now operational, Frankfurt has secured the space it needs to grow for the next generation, ensuring that Germany remains at the centre of the world's flight paths.
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