Enhanced flight punctuality vowed for the summer season by airport leader - Enhanced Flight Efficiency and Reliable Timely Departures Pledged for Summer Season by Airport Administrator
Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe's busiest hubs, is embarking on a mission to improve flight punctuality during the upcoming summer season. According to Stefan Schulte, the CEO of the operating company Fraport, passengers can expect a more reliable operation, as the punctuality level seen before the COVID-19 pandemic will be restored. Despite an anticipated 5% increase in air traffic movements, approximately 80% of flights are projected to depart and arrive on schedule at Germany's largest airport.
Criticism has been levied against air traffic control, with Schutte highlighting the growing congestion in European skies as a significant factor leading to delays. He pointed to military exercises, airspace closures due to conflicts, and the upsurge in air traffic across Europe as major contributors to the issue. The European air traffic control systems, grappling with differing IT solutions and a lack of qualified personnel in certain countries, are also under scrutiny, according to Schutte. Consequently, he believes that the airspace will need to be reorganized to address these challenges, acknowledging that the process will require extensive cooperation and optimization of interfaces.
Airport passengers in Frankfurt will benefit from new infrastructure, with the acceptance tests for Terminal 3, slated for a 2026 opening, progressing as planned. The €4 billion project, once operational, is anticipated to cater to 19 million annual passengers. Airlines currently stationed at Terminal 2 will gradually relocate in "two to four waves" over a three- to four-month period, followed by a renovation of the terminal over several years. Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners will continue to operate from Terminal 1.
With European airspace congestion resulting in delays at major hubs like Frankfurt, the need for collaborative solutions is increasingly evident. Airport leaders such as Schulte emphasize the importance of enhanced cooperation, advanced air traffic management technologies, and infrastructure improvements to improve flight punctuality and streamline airport operations. These solutions aim to address the operational challenges at Frankfurt, foster efficient capacity usage across the continent, and ultimately provide passengers with a more punctual and seamless travel experience.
The Commission, in light of the discussion about European airspace congestion and its impact on flight delays, might be prompted to submit a proposal for a directive aimed at safeguarding workers from the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation during long travel hours, considering the lifestyle changes and extended travel times that may result from the need for improved air traffic management.
As part of the initiative to streamline airport operations and ensure a more punctual travel experience, airport leaders might also consider incorporating measures to protect workers from potential risks related to their lifestyle, such as extended work hours and physical stress, within their proposed infrastructure upgrades and operational enhancements.
