Frankfurt Airport is preparing to transform the passenger experience with the launch of its highly anticipated Terminal 3 in 2026, unveiling a new retail strategy designed to elevate the airport into a global shopping destination. Spanning 65,000 square metres of commercial space, the terminal will house 64 curated retail and dining units that blend international luxury with local flair.
Passengers can expect a mix of established global names and innovative travel retail concepts, including Montblanc, BOSS, and the e-commerce-inspired GateZero. The vision behind the development is to combine convenience, entertainment, and discovery in one seamless journey, providing a premium commercial environment that mirrors high-street sophistication.
A Curated Commercial Experience
Operated by Fraport, the retail plan was guided by the concept of “The Marketplace,” designed to encourage exploration and longer dwell times. Shoppers will move through a dynamic mix of luxury boutiques, lifestyle shops, local delicacies, and immersive experiential zones. GateZero—curated by Highsnobiety and operated by Gebr. Heinemann—will offer fashion, beauty, and streetwear for the next-gen traveller.
The design incorporates natural light, landscaped rest areas, and a modern architectural flow intended to reduce stress and elevate comfort. Fraport executives highlighted the importance of creating not just a terminal, but a destination in its own right—an approach increasingly adopted at global hub airports to capture growing non-aeronautical revenues.
Global Appeal, Local Soul
Terminal 3’s retail mix balances international prestige and regional character. In addition to global powerhouses like Rituals, WMF, and CAPI, passengers will discover German artisanship and flavours through brands such as Hausmann’s and OhJulia. The food & beverage strategy follows similar principles, blending German gastronomy with international culinary concepts to cater to a diverse audience.
Fraport expects the terminal to handle up to 19 million passengers annually once all phases are complete. The retail unveiling signals confidence in the resurgence of air travel and travellers’ appetite for luxury and lifestyle experiences. As one of Europe’s busiest airports, Frankfurt is positioning Terminal 3 not only as an infrastructural asset but also as a cultural and commercial landmark.
