The Sky Line automated people mover, connecting Terminals 1 and 2 at Frankfurt Airport, will operate with restricted service from July 11 until August 5, due to construction. From Monday to Friday during this period, as well as on the weekend on July 30-31, the Sky Line will only operate between the A/Z and B/C stations in Terminal 1 and will not stop at Terminal 2. To ensure transportation for passengers between Terminals 1 and 2 both in the public/pre-security area and the transit area, replacement buses will be in service, operating on a frequent schedule.
During daytime, up to 12 replacement buses will be deployed in the public/pre-security area between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. for transportation between Terminals 1 and 2 (three buses will be available during nighttime hours). They will stop in front of Terminal 1 Arrivals (parking lot P32) and in front of Terminal 2 (parking lot P17). For rail passengers, an additional bus line will be set up as a direct link between Terminal 2 and the long-distance train station (bus stop located in front of The Squaire – east exit, next to Starbucks), operating from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. For transit passengers, three to four shuttle buses will be running constantly between the two terminals (from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.) on the days with restricted service. All stops are marked with signs.
The partial suspension of the Sky Line service has become necessary as a new Sky Line station for transit passengers is currently being built in Concourse C. Construction works are carried out in the direct vicinity of the elevated track structure. During the restricted period, the facade of the station will be built at track level and platform screen doors will be installed. An overhead roof will also be attached to the facade. As a result, Sky Line operations must be suspended for nearly four weeks due to matters of safety. Construction started during the last quarter of 2015 and is scheduled to continue until mid-2017. When the new Sky Line station is in service, it will provide direct access to Concourse C, thus making it even more comfortable for guests to transfer at Frankfurt Airport.
Dennis Wildhirt, head of the Fraport department responsible for terminal services at Frankfurt Airport (including the Sky Line) said: “A highly-efficient passenger transport system, the Sky Line has proven to be a key factor in ensuring smooth operations at our hub airport. To minimize disruptions for our passengers, we will deploy several replacement buses that will operate frequently both between Terminals 1 and 2 and directly from the long-distance train station to Terminal 2 for rail passengers. We will also provide for appropriate signage in the terminals and bus stops. In addition, extra mobile staff will be available to assist passengers along the way.”
The Sky Line automated people mover has operated since 1994 and provides a fast and comfortable link between both terminals of Frankfurt Airport. Currently, there are three stops: Terminal 1 A/Z, Terminal 1 B/C, and Terminal 2. At all three stations, trains can be accessed from both the pre-security area and the transit area. The system consists of nine self-driven electric trains, each with two cars. Altogether, the shuttles cover almost 80,000 kilometers per month and transport some 800,000 people – including air passengers, meeters and greeters, airport staff, as well as visitors and shoppers.
