Frankfurt and Munich Bet on Digital Mobility to Strengthen Business Travel

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Germany is enhancing its business travel market’s infrastructure, as evidenced by Frankfurt and Munich being at the heart of developments in areas such as biometric passenger processing, airport modernisation, and integration of airports with railway transportation. The two cities act as gateways to Germany for business travelers, trade shows, and executive trips. Therefore, the effectiveness of the cities’ transportation networks becomes increasingly important for Germany as a destination for tourism and business. One of the recent steps taken was the passage of legislation that allows airports and airlines in Germany to provide passengers with an opportunity to use biometric identification during multiple stages of their airport experience. This piece of legislation is aimed at allowing passengers to use their facial features to go through check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and boarding procedures. At the same time, Germany keeps using its EasyPASS automated border control system in major airports, such as Frankfurt and Munich.

Germany introduces a wider digital airport journey

Germany’s July 2026 legislation marks an important development in the digitalisation of air travel. Announced by the Federal Ministry for Transport, the framework allows airport operators and airlines to introduce biometric identification at different passenger-processing points.

Under the proposed operational model, passengers initially complete an identity verification using their travel document. A facial image is then used to confirm their identity at subsequent stages, potentially allowing them to proceed through baggage drop, security access and boarding without repeatedly presenting physical documents.

Participation is voluntary, and conventional passenger-processing arrangements remain available as an alternative. The government has estimated that the system could reduce waiting times by approximately 1.1 million hours annually and generate savings of around €63 million each year.

An important distinction concerns immigration controls. The new digital passenger-processing framework does not replace border checks. Travellers must continue to present their passports or other accepted identity documents when required by border authorities. Biometric airport processing and immigration clearance therefore remain separate procedures.

For corporate travellers, the development could make journeys through busy terminals more predictable, particularly when travelling between international meetings, conferences and trade events.

Frankfurt strengthens its position as a rail-air gateway

Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe’s principal international aviation hubs and an important entry point for business travellers visiting Germany. Its location and extensive connections to the national railway network allow passengers to combine air travel with onward journeys to cities across the country.

The airport’s long-distance railway station provides access to Deutsche Bahn’s Intercity Express services, while regional trains connect the terminal with Frankfurt and surrounding destinations. This integration is particularly valuable for international visitors whose final destination is not necessarily the city in which their flight lands.

Lufthansa Express Rail is another established component of the network. The service allows eligible passengers to book selected train and flight journeys together under one ticket, with coordinated connections and a transfer guarantee. Depending on the journey and applicable arrangements, passengers can also benefit from integrated check-in facilities and baggage services.

This model reduces the need for separate transport bookings and helps connect Frankfurt’s international flight network with business centres elsewhere in Germany.

The airport is also introducing additional passenger facilities through its new Terminal 3, which began operations in 2026. Its development expands the airport’s infrastructure and adds further capacity for airlines and international passengers.

Munich expands its aviation and digital infrastructure

Munich Airport plays a complementary role in Germany’s international travel network. As a major gateway to Bavaria, it supports business activity across the region, including manufacturing, technology, finance, automotive industries and international trade.

The airport already operates digital passenger services and automated systems designed to improve movement through its terminals. Its wider modernisation programme includes smart security infrastructure, digital passenger guidance and improvements to terminal operations.

A significant development came in March 2026, when Munich Airport and Lufthansa announced a strengthened long-term partnership extending their cooperation through 2056. The agreement includes planning for the expansion of Terminal 2’s satellite facility, with the potential to accommodate up to an additional 10 million passengers annually.

The partnership also provides for the expansion of Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet at Munich, supporting the airport’s ambition to increase international connectivity and strengthen its position as a major European hub.

These investments are relevant to corporate mobility because improved long-haul connections can make Munich more accessible to international executives, conference delegates and business groups travelling from overseas markets.

EasyPASS supports automated border processing

Germany’s digital airport development also operates alongside its established EasyPASS border-control system. Managed by the Federal Police, the programme uses automated e-gates to verify the identities of eligible travellers at participating airports.

Frankfurt and Munich are among the airports equipped with the system. Germany reported 255 EasyPASS control lanes across participating airport locations in April 2026.

The gates use biometric information stored in eligible electronic travel documents to support identity verification. Their purpose is to make border processing more efficient while retaining the necessary security checks.

EasyPASS is free for eligible passengers and remains subject to nationality, document and other participation requirements. Not every international traveller can use the system, and passengers who do not qualify must follow the conventional border-control procedure.

The continued operation of EasyPASS alongside the newer voluntary biometric airport-processing framework demonstrates that Germany is developing different digital systems for different stages of the passenger journey.

Corporate travel remains central to Germany’s tourism economy

Frankfurt and Munich are important not only because of their airports but also because of their wider commercial ecosystems. Both cities host international conferences, exhibitions and corporate gatherings that generate demand for hotels, restaurants, transport providers and event services.

Frankfurt’s financial district and major exhibition facilities make it a natural destination for international trade fairs and professional events. Munich attracts visitors through its technology and manufacturing industries, major exhibitions and corporate headquarters.

The combination of air connectivity, rail access and modern airport facilities helps both cities compete for international meetings and executive travel. Businesses increasingly value predictable journey times and convenient connections when selecting locations for conferences, incentive programmes and corporate retreats.

Although there is no clearly established nationwide package of corporate hospitality incentives directly linked to the airport developments, the wider infrastructure investments support the commercial environment in which Germany’s business events sector operates.

Germany builds a more connected business travel network

The policy of modernising airports in Frankfurt and Munich is part of a larger strategy designed to enhance the transportation process of international travellers via its main gateway cities. Biometric processing in airports, automated border control, rail-air coordination and further development of terminal infrastructure tackle distinct elements of the journey. Business travellers might benefit from less congested airport processing. Improved flight-train coordination may make regional business locations more accessible to travellers, while additional airport infrastructure may help build international routes and host big events. It is clear that Frankfurt and Munich play an important role in making Germany a leader in international business travel. Thus, further development of transport infrastructure and passenger services in these two airports will contribute to building a more interconnected model of corporate mobility in the country.