The new passenger handling area between the C and D concourses in Terminals 1 and 2 was officially inaugurated at Frankfurt Airport yesterday (17 March). With two waiting levels and amply dimensioned bridges, the new pier in the passageway linking the C and D concourses meets optimally all the requirements for operations with Lufthansa’s future flagship, the Airbus A380.

Entirely new is the pier concept allowing passengers to board their flights direct from two separate levels.

“The new and exclusive Lufthansa gate area located on two levels is unique, worldwide. Even before the first 380 enters service with the Lufthansa fleet, we are already laying on more space and comfort for passengers prior to flight departure,” said Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Executive Vice President Services and Human Resources at Lufthansa Passenger Airlines.

With the new two-level boarding concept, Lufthansa can now channel First, Business and Economy-Class passengers into separate areas as soon as they access the waiting and boarding zone at the airport. Once through the security controls, First and Business-Class passengers as well as status customers go straight to the Priority Gates on Departures Level Three. These gates, designed in Lufthansa business-lounge style, offer comfortable waiting zones with easy chairs to relax in, as well as workstations equipped with wireless Internet access and spacious bistros serving drinks and light menus. First-Class passengers as well as HON Circle members or Senators also have the use of an exclusive Senator Lounge with a panoramic view of the airport apron, and the take-off and landing strips.

Four open gates for Economy-Class passengers on the second level are equipped with ample seating arrangements and snackbars. Spacious glass facades give the interior a bright, friendly and airy atmosphere. The open gates allow passengers to move around freely in the entire handling areas and afford a good view of traffic on the airport apron.

Extra comfort is also characteristic in the passageway from the check-in counters to the new pier. Wider moving walkways and escalators help passengers easily negotiate their way through the passageway, daylight and a daylight-adaptive lighting system light up the gangways and air-conditioning keeps the temperature at a pleasant level. Three A380s and a Boeing 747 can be handled, simultaneously, at the new C/D pier. Gates C15 and C16 are each additionally equipped to accommodate two smaller aircraft, e.g. of the A320 type.