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Frankfurt to Open Terminal 3 in April as Fraport Pushes Tax Relief, Nuremberg Sets Passenger Record

Germany's aviation recovery remains uneven, with local opposition intensifying around Frankfurt's expansion.

Overview

  • Frankfurt handled about 63.2 million passengers in 2025, a rise of roughly 2.6% from the prior year yet still around 10% below pre‑pandemic levels.
  • Fraport set April 23, 2026 as the opening date for Terminal 3 and will transfer airlines from Terminal 2 while it closes for a lengthy overhaul.
  • CEO Stefan Schulte urged additional cuts to Germany’s air travel tax beyond the reduction due July 1, pointing to Sweden’s abolition as a growth model.
  • Citizen groups, led by the Bündnis der Frankfurter Bürgerinitiativen, warn that expansion will mean more flights, greater noise, higher emissions and added regional climate impacts.
  • Nuremberg reported a record 4,508,765 passengers in 2025, 52,918 flight movements up 8.8%, an average seat load factor of 83%, and a small year‑over‑year decline in flown airfreight.