Key takeaways
- IATA FRA, ICAO EDDF: Germany’s largest airport, operated by Fraport AG.
- Four runways: three parallel east-west runways and Runway 18 West for takeoffs to the south only.
- Lufthansa’s home hub – and with that, a central node of the Star Alliance.
- Check the runway direction in use before you visit: it decides where you should stand.
Contents
Profile
| IATA code | FRA |
|---|---|
| ICAO code | EDDF |
| Operator | Fraport AG |
| Location | Southwest of Frankfurt am Main, Hesse |
| Runways | Four: three parallel east-west runways (07L/25R, 07C/25C, 07R/25L) and Runway 18 West, which is used only for takeoffs to the south |
| Passenger terminals | Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; Fraport has also built Terminal 3 in the south of the airport grounds |
| Main user | Lufthansa (home hub) |
| Opened | 1936 |
| Official website | www.frankfurt-airport.com |
Business areas
History at a glance
Frankfurt Airport from a spotter’s point of view
Your checklist for Frankfurt Airport
- Checked the runway direction in use before visiting – with a west wind, aircraft take off and land to the west (25); with an east wind, to the east (07)
- Seen a takeoff from Runway 18 West to the south
- Photographed a Lufthansa long-haul aircraft, such as a Boeing 747-8
- Seen a dedicated freighter
- Noted the registration of every sighting, not just airline and type
Strengths and weaknesses
What speaks for it
- Large traffic mix: short-, medium- and long-haul, plus cargo
- Many widebody aircraft from airlines around the world
- Several runways with different orientations – changing subjects depending on the runway direction in use
Where it falls short
- Sprawling airport grounds: without a plan for the runway direction in use, you can easily end up at the wrong end
- Strict restrictions on night flights
A hub with traffic from around the world
Frankfurt is Germany’s largest airport and Lufthansa’s home hub. Besides the Lufthansa fleet, airlines from every continent land here – from regional jets to large long-haul aircraft. Heavy cargo traffic adds to the mix: Frankfurt is one of Europe’s major cargo airports.
Runways and runway direction in use
Three of the four runways run parallel in an east-west direction: the northwest landing runway (07L/25R), which entered service in 2011, the center runway (07C/25C) and the south runway (07R/25L). Runway 18 West runs north-south and is used only for takeoffs to the south.
Whether aircraft take off and land to the west (25) or the east (07) depends on the wind. Because aircraft take off and land into the wind, you should check the weather and runway direction in use before every visit – they decide which end of the airport gives you the better subjects.
Tips for your visit
- Plan your location around the runway direction in use, not the other way around.
- Respect barriers and the airport’s signs – security areas are off limits.
- Opening hours and admission for visitor attractions change: check them in advance on the operator’s website.
- Note the registration of every sighting – in the Planetrack app, it is part of the entry.
Summary
- Frankfurt is Germany’s largest airport and Lufthansa’s home hub.
- With four runways and heavy long-haul and cargo traffic, it offers one of the most varied traffic mixes in Europe.
- For spotters, the current runway direction in use is what matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What are the codes for Frankfurt Airport?
The IATA code is FRA and the ICAO code is EDDF.
How many runways does Frankfurt Airport have?
Four: the three parallel runways 07L/25R (northwest landing runway), 07C/25C and 07R/25L, plus Runway 18 West, which is used only for takeoffs to the south.
Who operates Frankfurt Airport?
The operator is Fraport AG.
Collect sightings around Frankfurt Airport
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