Frankfurt Airport Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Terminal 2

More than 200 million passengers served over last quarter century – Pioneering terminal design

25 years ago, the very first aircraft arrived at Terminal 2: a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 from Hong Kong with 350 passengers onboard. Since the official inauguration on October 24, 1994, Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 2 has been the departure point, destination or stopover for some 200 million travelers. Commissioned by airport operator Fraport, the building set new benchmarks in terminal architecture in the 1990s. With a total floor area of 430,000 square meters, it was the world’s first terminal purpose-made for the new generation of wide-body aircraft. Fraport therefore created future-proof foundations for an evolving aviation industry, even before the A380 superjumbo had gone into full production. Upon opening in 1994, the complex initially hosted 18 airlines. Since then, this number has almost quadrupled. Today, 60 airlines from around the world operate from Terminal 2, and the facility handles approximately 80,000 flights a year. The Sky Line elevated people mover provides a swift and convenient connection between Terminals  1 and  2, allowing passengers to shuttle between the terminals in just 90 seconds.

Airport operator Fraport and architects JSK, based in Frankfurt, set new standards in terminal design. Boasting a 30-meter-high glass façade, the terminal interior enjoys plenty of natural daylight, and ensures a pleasant airport experience for both travelers and staff. The 1,800 square meter viewing platform is also a firm favorite, and has become a popular destination for excursions.

The terminal’s history has also been marked by tragedy: On March 2, 2011, an attack on a bus located in front of the terminal building impacted the entire Rhine-Main region. Two people were shot dead and a further two seriously injured. In the aftermath, security precautions were further strengthened.

The construction of Terminal 2 was an important milestone in ensuring Frankfurt Airport’s future viability and its position as one of Europe’s leading aviation gateways. When Terminal 2 went into operation, up to 100,000 passengers arrived at and departed from Frankfurt Airport daily. Today, during busy periods, this number can be as high as 240,000 per day.

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