Airport operator Fraport is
strategically aligning its Frankfurt hub with forecast growth in the air
cargo business. Driven by growing global trade, the air cargo industry
is expected to further expand over the medium and long term both
globally and within Europe. The Frankfurt CargoHub is projected to
follow this overall market trend, with airfreight volumes in Frankfurt
forecast to exceed three million metric tons by 2040. This represents an
increase of around 50 percent on the previous peak reached in 2021. At
the same time, the entire logistics sector faces major challenges,
particularly in relation to altered goods flows, digitization, and
sustainability.
Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm, Fraport AG’s
Executive Director for Aviation and Infrastructure, said: “Given the
expected growth and changing requirements, now is the right time for a
comprehensive innovation and investment package. We’re developing our
airport sustainably and in line with actual demand. This is why we’re
launching the CargoHub Masterplan. Our aim is to position the Frankfurt
CargoHub for the future – thus making a clear contribution to growth in
the state of Hesse as an economic powerhouse in the heart of Germany and
Europe.”
New masterplan rests on three pillars
Fraport’s
aim is to continuosly ensure Frankfurt Airport’s position as Europe’s
#1 CargoHub by freight throughput. To achieve this, the masterplan
involves three key initiatives for developing the FRA location:
digitization and process innovation, space optimization, and space
development.
In other words: Fraport is adopting comprehensive
digitized processes in order to boost efficiency further and to
facilitate straightforward, seamless, and transparent logistics. A key
aspect of the transformation is the Cargo Community System, which uses
data-driven dashboards and analysis to give participating companies
real-time insights and smart management options. To develop the system
further, Fraport and software developer DAKOSY have formed a joint
venture called allivate. A roadmap has already been agreed upon with the
cargo community that will accelerate the digital transformation for
cargo even further.
Fraport also plans to redesign and develop
existing spaces inside CargoCity South. The plan is to swap
flight-operations areas and cargo spaces to free up 43,000 square meters
of additional cargo space that will have a direct connection to the
apron. The move will also create 20,000 square meters of additional
space for ground handling and special services. Under the plan, the 18
affected aircraft positions will remain available in the future, albeit
under a new arrangement. Fraport is undertaking intensive discussions
with the appropriate regulatory authorities about the change and will
initiate the necessary zoning modification process shortly.
Given
the growing cargo volumes, Fraport is also planning to expand its
capacities for logistics handling in a way that matches particularly the
needs of cargo. The vision is for a new LogisticsHub West that draws on
sustainable, digitized, and smart infrastructure to be built on the
site of the former Ticona plant on the airport’s western flank. The
development is to happen in two stages: From 2028, logistics facilities
are to be made available that include up to 150,000 square meters of
warehouse space built on a site totaling around 250,000 square meters.
Operational facilities for other airport functions will occupy a further
35,000 square meters. The basis for this is the existing zoning plan.
Due to its vicinity to the Northwest Runway, the location also offers
the potential for a connection to the airport’s airside area. In the
long-term, after 2030, there is also the option of developing the
LogisticsHub West into a trimodal hub that includes road, rail, and air
connections.
Development in partnership with the Cargo Community
“When
developing our plans, we’re always considering the needs of our
customers and partners but also those of our neighbors. We’re
communicating transparently to develop the airport sustainably and in a
way that works for everyone,” said Max Philipp Conrady, SVP Cargo
Development and Management at Fraport AG. “The guiding principle for our
vision is ‘Creating the Future of Cargo Together’: that’s because the
development will only work if we cooperate with everyone affected,
particularly the local cargo community.”
Dietmar Focke, Chief
Operations and Human Resources Officer at Lufthansa Cargo AG and a
member of the Executive Board at Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V.
commented: “We welcome the planned measures, because they are providing
solutions for the current challenges faced by the industry. There is a
growing demand for digitization and automation within the community. We
need timely, digital processes – particularly for the growing e-commerce
business. At Lufthansa Cargo, we’re boosting and updating our presence
at the Frankfurt hub by investing €500 million in our infrastructure.
We’re also ordering new cargo aircraft. These decisions underscore our
commitment to Frankfurt.”
FRA handles more cargo annually than any
other European cargo hub. All major companies in the global logistics
industry operate from Frankfurt Airport. By working together with the
cargo community, Fraport provides a full-service portfolio for the
secure, rapid, and efficient handling of all types of cargo. The
CargoHub masterplan is part of the Group’s overall strategy
“Fraport.2030”.
For more information about the masterplan and regular news updates, visit www.frankfurt-cargohub.com.