FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Air travelers must prepare for waiting times at security checks and baggage claim at Frankfurt Airport with the start of the Easter travel wave. The reason is persistent staff shortages coupled with high passenger numbers, especially at the start of the vacations, airport operator Fraport announced Friday. Despite extensive recruitment and qualification of new staff, operations remain demanding, it said.

For the first vacation weekend in Hesse and some neighboring states, up to 185,000 travelers a day are forecast for 1100 takeoffs and landings, according to Fraport. With the start of the summer flight schedule this Sunday, 86 airlines will fly from Germany's largest airport to 292 destinations in 92 countries worldwide.

"Our employees are doing their best to provide travelers with the usual good service in Frankfurt," said Fraport manager Alexander Laukenmann. "Nevertheless, there may be waiting times at times of day with heavy travel traffic, and passengers should be prepared for this."

Fraport recommended that passengers check in online with their airline up to 24 hours before departure, if possible. Passengers should also be in the terminal at least two and a half hours before departure.

Last summer, there were a large number of flight cancellations and delays because airports, airlines and other service providers did not have enough qualified personnel for the restart after the Corona pandemic./mar/DP/stw