ONE of Europe’s biggest airport hubs has opened its huge new third terminal – more than a DECADE after works started.
Frankfurt Airport, the busiest in Germany and 6th busiest in Europe, is often used as a stopover airport for long-haul flights.
And its new Terminal 3 has now opened.
Having started works back in 2015, the new terminal is the airport’s biggest project to date.
Costing €4billion (£3.6billion), inside is a main terminal and three concourses adding to Terminal 1 and 2.
Inside are more than 60 shops and restaurants, we well as new automated bag drop areas and improved CT scanners at security.
Designed by German architect Christoph Mäckler he said he wants to make the terminal feel like a “city in its own right”.
He added: “These days airports have become a destination in their own right. In fact, they typically receive more visitors than many city centres.
“This makes it even more important for airports to also perform some of the same functions as cities. We’re making this happen in Terminal 3.”
Around 57 airlines will move to the new terminal from Terminal 2, which includes Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
There will also be a shuttle between the terminals, taking less than 10 minutes.
Initially it will welcome up to 19million passengers, although this will eventually increase to 25million by June with the opening of the fourth phase.
Frankfurt Airport welcomed 63.2million passengers last year.
Brits can currently fly to Frankfurt with British Airways for £69, whereas Ryanair’s £15 flights go to the smaller Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.
And Condor Airlines launched a new flight route to Frankfurt from London Gatwick this month, the first UK route for the airline.
If you want to explore the city, it even has its own “mini Manhattan,” thanks to its skyscraper financial district.
CNN Travel previously said: “Frankfurt looks and feels more like a modern American city than any other metropolis when people visit Germany.”
Here is another new airport that has recently had a makeover in Europe.