Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 1 getting major redesign of forecourt and access roads

As part of its goal of providing five-star service to its passengers at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the airport manager Fraport AG has developed a comprehensive concept for redesigning the Terminal 1 forecourt and access roads.  Initial work has already started on the €36 million construction project that is scheduled to last about 14 months.  The extensive refurbishment will focus on the terminal façade and entrances, as well as the pedestrian areas and roadways on the arrivals level of the terminal forecourt.

For example, the old perforated brick exterior of the terminal arrival level will be replaced by a contemporary metal and glass façade.  The walkways and roads in front of Terminal 1 will be resurfaced.  The entire area will be brighter and more welcoming thanks to improved lighting.  Additional traffic-calming measures on the roadways by the terminal will make the forecourt more attractive to pedestrians.  In the middle zone of the forecourt, LED walls will be added to create a multi-media experience.

Dr. Matthias Zieschang, Fraport AG’s executive board member for controlling and finance (CFO), explained the importance of the project:  “We wish to improve the travel experience significantly for our passengers, their meeters and greeters, as well as the environment for airport staff.  The redesigned forecourt will serve as an attractive reception area, especially for our international guests.  Because regular terminal operations will continue during the construction phase, we ask passengers for their understanding about temporary traffic restrictions and rerouting.”

Fraport’s will also enhance the traffic flow along the busy access roads to Terminal 1. This includes measures to provide drivers with better guidance and to keep the traffic moving at all times.  “Due to the existing high utilization of Terminal 1, we are well aware of the situation facing drivers during peak hours. Thus, we are taking steps to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in view of the growing passenger volumes at Frankfurt,” added Zieschang.

Fraport will be installing barriers (gates) to the access lanes at the arrivals and departures levels of Terminal 1.  Traffic management will be similar to Terminal 2, whereby general traffic may use terminal access roads free of charge for the first 10 minutes.  Once this period is exceeded, parking charges apply and must be paid at automatic pay stations. This measure has successfully addressed the issue of double-parking in front of Terminal 2 – which is the most frequent cause of slow-moving traffic on terminal access roads. Those who intend to park longer than 10 minutes in front of the terminal can use the spacious multi-level car parks or the open-air car parks – reached by exiting at the front section of the terminal-access road, thus maintaining smooth vehicular flow on the access roads.

Starting around Easter 2015, road access for general traffic to Terminal 1 will be diverted (buses and taxis will not be affected). In addition to special signage, extra traffic management staff will be on duty to assist drivers during this period.  Further details about the Terminal 1 traffic concept will be available when the traffic re-routing starts:  via the www.Frankfurt-Airport.com website (“Arrival” and “Parking” sections) and the FRA Airport App.