Three months after the new runway at Frankfurt Airport became operational, Lufthansa has drawn up an interim assessment. Since 21 October 2011, the on-time arrival performance rating has risen by more than 14 cent compared with the same period in the previous year, and remains constant at well above 80 per cent. For the first time for many years, Frankfurt is thus on a par with comparable international hubs such as Amsterdam, London Heathrow and Munich with which the airport is in direct competition. However, the strict ban on night flights after 11pm, which was imposed at Frankfurt just as the new runway went into operation, is proving extremely problematic – not only for freighter flights but also as regards the smooth running of passenger services. As a result, 19 flights have had to be transferred to the following day despite the fact that, in many cases, the aircraft would only been airborne for a matter of minutes after 11pm. Many passengers in transit who do not have a visa for Germany have been forced to sleep at the airport on camp beds or on bench seats. 

“The additional capacity we have gained as a result of the new Northwest Runway is immensely important for reliable flight operations at our home base, Frankfurt.  It is essential if we are to maintain our position among the world’s leading international hubs,” explains Kay Kratky, member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, Frankfurt & Flight Operations. “But we are also aware that the new runway has led to a redistribution of noise. As a result, some of the residents living within the noise footprint of aircraft using  the Northwest Runway are now affected. At the same time, other neighbouring communities have benefited and now experience less noise, thanks to the new approach and departure routes. With our partners – the airport operator Fraport and German Air Traffic Control (DFS) – we are working intensively on measures to reduce aircraft noise for all those affected as soon as possible.”

The new runway has removed the previous bottlenecks at Frankfurt Airport, and flight operations have become more stable following the increase in capacity. For many passengers in transit, reliable quality is a decisive factor in their choice of airport. In the last three months, thanks to more stable operations, the percentage of passengers missing their connecting flight has fallen by 25 per cent compared with the previous months.

The environment is also benefiting from the increase in capacity at the airport. Before the new runway went into operation, holding stacks over Frankfurt and the surrounding area were a daily occurrence. Many aircraft often had to circle unnecessarily over the Rhine-Main area before they were granted landing permission. That not only caused delays but also raised CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Thanks to the additional capacity for arrivals and departures, airborne waiting times during the approach to Frankfurt have been reduced by two and a half hours per day at Lufthansa alone. Over the past three months, this has led to savings of about five and a half tonnes of jet fuel and 17.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per da.