Frankfurt Airport (FRA) welcomed 61.6 million passengers in 2024, marking a 3.7% increase from the previous year. This growth has been primarily driven by strong demand for European medium-haul flights and burgeoning long-haul routes to North America, the Far East, and South America. Despite these optimistic numbers, passenger figures remain 12.7% below the pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019.
Cargo volumes at Frankfurt Airport experienced significant growth as well, with a 6.2% increase, resulting in 2.1 million metric tonnes handled. Alongside passenger growth, aircraft movements rose by 2.4%, totaling 440,853. These developments highlight Frankfurt's persistent standing as one of Europe's busiest and most important airports.
Beyond Frankfurt, Fraport AG reported strong results across its global network of airports. Among these, Greek airports set new records, welcoming 36 million passengers—a rise of 6.4%. Similarly, Lima Airport in Peru saw its traffic reach 24.5 million, reflecting a 15.2% improvement. Antalya Airport (Turkey) handled 38 million passengers, representing a 6.5% increase, and Ljubljana Airport (Slovenia) noted 1.4 million passengers, up by 13.3%.
Conversely, some airports within the Fraport portfolio faced stark declines. Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports in Brazil reported a staggering 27.1% drop due to temporary closures caused by flooding, and Bulgarian airports saw passenger numbers decrease by 8.7%. These contrasts draw attention to the varied recovery trajectories within the airport sector post-pandemic.
Dr. Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG, underscored the importance of Frankfurt's connectivity to the German economy, stating, "Der Flughafen Frankfurt bietet der deutschen Wirtschaft mit der Vielzahl an Verbindungen einen positiven und wichtigen Standortvorteil." Yet, he issued warnings concerning the rising costs associated with airport operations, which could potentially jeopardize Frankfurt's competitive edge.
While 2024 has shown promising growth indicators for Frankfurt Airport, the economic decline affecting Germany's overall economic environment poses challenges. Data from December 2024 revealed passenger numbers slightly dipped to 4.5 million—a decrease of 1.1% compared to the prior year—with flight movements showing similar trends. This signals caution for the forthcoming year.
Despite these challenges, Frankfurt remains the world's leading hub for transfer passengers, boasting 311 destinations across 98 countries and operating with 99 airlines. The airport's extensive network of direct connections enhances its position not only as Germany's central airport but as one of the key global players in facilitating international air travel.
Looking toward the future, the growth observed at Frankfurt Airport signals recovery and resilience, even as it grapples with economic concerns and competitive pressures. With consistent investments and strategic planning, stakeholders are hopeful about returning to pre-pandemic performance levels sooner rather than later.