Page 40 - ITLN January - February 2025

Developing the Future of Frankfurt Airport’s Cargo Hub

SPACE OPTIMIZATION, SPACE DEVELOPMENT
AND DIGITAL AND PROCESS INNOVATION

How Fraport is partnering with the Cargo Community to optimize space,
develop infrastructure, and implement digital innovations over the coming years.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)as the long-standing European air cargo leader, faces a future
marked by both significant growth opportunities and complex challenges. With global
trade continuing to expand, particularly in the e-commerce sector, the demand for air
cargo services is expected to grow significantly over the next two decades. Forecasts
suggest that airfreight volumes at Frankfurt could exceed three million metric tons
by 2040-a 50% increase over the 2021 peak. This anticipated growth, combined
with challenges such as shifting goods flows, digitalization, and sustainability, has
driven Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, to launch an ambitious Masterplan
CargoHub aimed at securing the airport’s future as a global cargo leader.
At the heart of the masterplan is a comprehensive investment package centered on
three key initiatives: digitalization and process innovation, space optimization, and
infrastructure development. Together, these initiatives will enhance efficiency, create
much-needed capacity, and help Fraport manage the complexities of the evolving air
cargo industry.