Frankfurt airport has become the latest major European hub to restrict flights to allow it to cope with increased passenger numbers.
Fraport, which operates the German airport, has reduced the number of take-offs and landings to 88 movements per hour from this week to “stabilise” flight operators.
The move comes after similar announcements from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Amsterdam Schiphol airports, which have all capped capacity this summer as they struggle to cope with increased passengers and a shortage of staff following the pandemic.
Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, welcomed Fraport’s decision to cap the number of flights from Frankfurt airport this summer.
“In recent weeks, we have already cancelled flights in several waves to relieve the overall system,” said Ritter.
“Since the already increased capacities of the ground handling services in Frankfurt are still not sufficient due to a high sickness absence rate, even for the flight schedule that has already been reduced several times, the decision taken by Fraport is right.
“Other airlines flying to and from Frankfurt will now also contribute to an even reduction and stabilisation with flight cancellations.”
Frankfurt catered for five million passengers in June, its busiest month since the start of the pandemic and a 181 per cent increase compared with June 2021. Although the airport’s passenger traffic last month was still 24.1 per cent lower than in June 2019.
Fraport’s CEO Stefan Schulte said: “This demonstrates the strong momentum driving air travel demand. We sincerely regret that, during peak traffic periods, our passengers in Frankfurt may currently experience extended wait times in the terminals, including at the baggage reclaim.
“We are working hard with all our partners to ensure that, in the medium term, we can again provide the quality standards expected by our passengers.”