I’m thrilled to sit down with Katarina Railko, a seasoned expert in hospitality, travel, and tourism, whose insights into the aviation industry are shaped by years of experience. With a deep understanding of airport operations and a passion for events and conferences, Katarina offers a unique perspective on the latest trends in passenger growth and global airport performance. Today, we’ll dive into Fraport’s impressive results for October 2025, exploring the surge in passenger numbers at Frankfurt Airport, the factors fueling this growth, and how Fraport’s international network is evolving amidst dynamic travel demands.
Can you walk us through Fraport’s performance in October 2025, particularly at Frankfurt Airport, and what stood out to you about the passenger numbers?
Absolutely, William. Fraport had a remarkable month in October 2025, with Frankfurt Airport (FRA) handling around 6 million passengers, which is a 5.9% jump from the same month in 2024. What really caught my eye was the peak day on October 5, when FRA managed about 221,000 passengers—making it the second busiest day of the year. These numbers reflect a robust recovery and a sustained appetite for travel, especially during the fall season.
What do you think were the key drivers behind this passenger growth at Frankfurt Airport?
The primary driver was leisure travel, particularly on short- and medium-haul routes. Fall vacation demand played a huge role, as people took advantage of the autumn break to explore destinations within Europe. This seasonal trend, combined with a growing confidence in travel post-pandemic, created a perfect storm for higher passenger volumes. It’s a clear sign that travelers are prioritizing experiences and getaways, even outside the traditional summer peak.
Speaking of destinations, which regions or countries saw the most significant increases in traffic from Frankfurt, and what might be behind those trends?
Within Europe, Italy led the pack with a 16.5% year-on-year growth, followed by Greece at 11.8%, Norway at 11.3%, and Austria at 11.2%. These are popular fall destinations for leisure travelers seeking milder weather or cultural experiences. On the intercontinental front, South Korea saw a striking 23.9% increase, alongside the Middle East at 22.8% and Thailand at 20.3%. I believe this reflects a mix of recovering business travel and a growing interest in long-haul leisure trips to Asia and the Middle East, fueled by better connectivity and attractive tourism campaigns.
How did other operational aspects at Frankfurt Airport evolve during this period, and what do those changes tell us?
Operationally, FRA saw a 6.6% rise in aircraft movements, with 42,478 takeoffs and landings, which aligns with the passenger growth. Additionally, maximum takeoff weights, or MTOWs, increased by 3.7% to about 2.6 million metric tons. This metric points to heavier aircraft or fuller loads, suggesting airlines are optimizing capacity to meet demand. It’s a positive indicator of efficiency but also puts pressure on infrastructure to keep pace with such growth.
Shifting focus to Fraport’s international portfolio, how did their global airports perform overall in October 2025?
Fraport’s global network performed strongly, with an 8.3% year-on-year increase, reaching about 18.3 million passengers across all managed airports. Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia was a standout with an 18.1% surge, handling over 150,000 passengers. The Brazilian airports, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre, also impressed with a combined 70.3% growth to 1.2 million passengers, largely due to recovery from past disruptions. Most airports in the portfolio showed gains, reflecting a broader trend of sustained travel demand.
Can you elaborate on some specific international highlights, like the performance of the Greek airports or challenges at other locations?
Certainly. Fraport’s 14 Greek airports saw a solid 3.7% increase, serving 3.5 million travelers, which ties into the strong leisure demand for Mediterranean destinations even in fall. On the flip side, Lima Airport in Peru experienced a slight 2.4% dip to 2.2 million passengers, likely due to local economic or operational factors. While it’s not a major concern yet, it’s something Fraport will want to monitor. Meanwhile, Antalya Airport in Turkey continued its upward trajectory with a 9.3% rise to 5 million passengers, underscoring its role as a key tourism hub.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of passenger growth and airport operations within Fraport’s network?
I’m optimistic about Fraport’s trajectory. The sustained demand for leisure travel, especially in off-peak seasons like fall, suggests that airports like Frankfurt and Antalya will continue to see steady growth. However, challenges like infrastructure capacity and regional disparities, as seen in Lima, will need strategic attention. I expect Fraport to invest in technology and operational efficiencies to handle higher volumes, while also focusing on diversifying routes to capture emerging markets. The next few years could be transformative if they balance growth with sustainability.
