Frankfurt Airport expects 3.5 million passengers over autumn holidays

Frankfurt Airport expects about 3.5 million passengers between 2 and 18 October, as autumn school holidays start in Hesse and other German states, operator Fraport said. For the first holiday weekend alone, from 2 to 4 October, it forecasts around 650,000 travellers.

Longer waits at border controls are possible as passenger numbers rise, Fraport warned, particularly for travellers from non-EU countries. It attributed this to additional European Union requirements for data collection under the Entry Exit System (EES).

Those travellers should allow enough time and arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, according to Fraport. Travellers from EU states, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and holders of German residence permits do not need to use the EES, but may also be affected indirectly if border controls become busier because of the system.

For flights outside the Schengen area, Fraport advised these passengers to arrive three hours before departure as well. Passengers who do not have to pass a border control can plan for less time: Fraport recommends arriving at the terminal about two and a half hours before departure with checked baggage, and around two hours before departure with hand luggage only.