The newly commissioned Sky Line passenger transport system at Frankfurt Airport will be shut down for approximately two weeks. As the operating company Fraport AG announced, technical adjustments and optimizations to the system are necessary after irregularities were detected during initial operation under high load.
With up to 25.000 passengers per day, the system was subjected to massive strain in its first few weeks. Technicians from manufacturer Siemens Mobility and specialists from Fraport are now focusing on adjusting the driverless vehicles and the complex control systems to ensure smooth operation on the approximately 5,6-kilometer-long route in the future.
To maintain connections between Terminals 1, 2, and 3, an extensive rail replacement bus service has been established. Up to 20 shuttle buses operate frequently between the terminal complexes during the day, running every two to three minutes. During the night, between 23:00 PM and 05:00 AM, the frequency is reduced to ten minutes. The bus stops are located on the arrivals level in front of the respective terminals. In addition, five separate buses are available exclusively for transfer passengers to ensure smooth transit within the secure area. Travelers are strongly advised to allow significantly more time for transfers between terminals.
The new system is designed as a fully automated people mover and is intended to transport up to 4.000 people per hour in each direction during regular operation. The current work specifically concerns the new track that provides access to the new Terminal 3. The older Sky Line connection between Terminals 1 and 2, which has been in operation for decades, remains unaffected by the work and continues to function without interruption. Fraport emphasizes that the stability of the system takes precedence over immediate availability in order to avoid long-term disruptions during the upcoming summer travel season.
Troubleshooting focuses particularly on synchronizing the driverless units at the platform screen doors and optimizing the distance control software. Siemens Mobility is responsible for the technical reliability of the infrastructure. As the new system is a key component of Frankfurt Airport's capacity expansion, a swift resumption of operations is the goal. Additional service personnel have been stationed at key hubs to inform passengers about the altered routes and bus departure times and to coordinate a smooth transition to the replacement bus service.