Etihad Airways became the first airline on Thursday (April 23) morning to depart from Frankfurt Airport's newly opened Terminal 3, as flight EY 122 took off for Abu Dhabi.

At the controls was Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Etihad's Chief Operations and Guest Officer, who took the seat as operating captain for the flight.

Before boarding, Captain Al Marzouqi joined Fraport Chief Technology Officer Dr Pierre Prümm for a ribbon-cutting at the gate.

The morning also held a surprise for one couple from Limburg, heading to Singapore for their holiday.

Captain Al Marzouqi greeted them at the gate with an upgrade to Business for the flight to Abu Dhabi.

For Etihad guests travelling through Frankfurt, Terminal 3 marks the start of a noticeably different airport experience.

Check-in and security are housed in bright, open spaces flooded with natural daylight through floor-to-ceiling windows.

A central marketplace spanning 6,000 square metres brings together restaurants, shops and lounge seating with direct views over the apron -  giving guests more to enjoy before they board.

Families travelling with children will find dedicated play areas, while business travellers can make use of quiet workstations before departure. A new Skyline rail link connects all three Frankfurt terminals.

Captain Al Marzouqi said: "Etihad has been flying between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt since 2005, and today the airport opened a terminal that changes the experience for everyone passing through it. We're glad to be the first airline to depart from it  - and glad our guests will be the ones to enjoy it."

Dr Prümm said: "Frankfurt Airport is one of the most important airports in Etihad's European network. We've worked closely together for many years, and it means a lot to us that Etihad is the first airline to depart from Terminal 3 on this day."

Etihad currently operates two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. -TradeArabia News Service