Lufthansa and Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt airport, have formed a new joint venture to improve products and services at the airport’s Terminal 1.
The companies said that the goal of the ‘Fra-Alliance’ is to achieve a “journey-wide enhancement of processes and product offerings for flights” while also “boosting the competitiveness of the airport”.
The venture will look at areas such as business development and operations, customer experience, infrastructure, intermodality and sustainability.
Initial benefits include the provision of real-time updates regarding waiting times at security checkpoints within the Lufthansa app. Passengers can now take these times into account when planning their travel arrangements.
Passenger flows have also been analysed and optimised in order to “significantly reduce transfer times” for approximately one million passengers per year. This will be achieved by removing “unnecessary, duplicate” security checks.
Pierre Dominique Prümm, Fraport AG’s executive director aviation and infrastructure, said:
“With this joint venture, we’re creating a highly responsive and effective team that can pursue areas of mutual interest and to continue improving passenger services. It’s an important signal for the medium and long-term prospects of Frankfurt Airport.”
Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines, added:
“We want to offer our customers a reliable, punctual, and first-rate travel experience. The joint venture will allow us to place stronger and more targeted emphasis on the projects required to realize these aims. The new partnership at our Frankfurt hub will deliver significant added value for our customers by implementing innovative, future-focused measures.”
Frankfurt airport was one of the European airports which had to place a cap on flight numbers over the summer in a bid to reduce disruption from delays and cancellations.
Germany’s busiest airport also celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Terminal 1 this year.
Each company holds a 50 per cent share in the new venture and is being co-led by Dirk Schusdziara and Jörg Harnisch.