Chief Executive Officer (Chairman of the Executive Board), Fraport AG
Radio Frankfurt // Frankfurt Talk // Dr. Stefan Schulte // Fraport AG // 01.08.2022
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About Stefan Schulte
In February 2013, Stefan Schulte, as Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport AG, participated in the opening ceremony of the company's new corporate headquarters. The building, which took two years to plan and construct, was inaugurated alongside board member Anke Giesen, works council chair Claudia Amier, and supervisory board member Karlheinz Weimar. Schulte described the new facility as featuring open-plan standards and team workspaces, stating that the design would enable faster and better knowledge transfer among employees and shorten distances between administrative units, leading to time savings. He also noted that the modern ambiance was intended to help employees feel at home. Schulte highlighted the building's sustainability features, including a photovoltaic system on the south facade to power electric vehicles in the garage. He explained that the roof uses a foil membrane instead of glass, with adjustable layers of dotted foil to control sunlight entry, comparing the system to a variable blind. The German Sustainable Building Council awarded the project a Gold certificate for its energy efficiency standards.
Transcript (32 segments)
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Stephan Söhngen0:02
The Frankfurt Talk live from Radio Frankfurt's Skyline Studios. Internationality, diversity, and civic engagement make our city what it is. Radio Frankfurt presents, in cooperation with the Montags Gesellschaft and the Newcomers Network, exciting topics and interview guests from the unique Main metropolis. We welcome you to Frankfurt with Stephan Söhngen. Good evening, holiday time, summer time. Frankfurt, as every Monday evening, we warmly welcome you out there. We are glad you tuned in. Today we have a very special guest, Dr. Stefan Schulte, the head of Fraport. Dear Mr. Schulte, introduce yourself in a few sentences for those who don't know you.
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Stefan Schulte1:00
Good evening from my side. How best to introduce yourself? Let's start with the facts: born in Wuppertal in the 60s, at the border between the Rhineland and the Sauerland or Westphalia. Then I traveled around the world, studied in Cologne and Münster, and then for many years in Frankfurt with some interruptions. First arrived in Frankfurt in 1991, then to Italy, back to Cologne, and since 2003 at Fraport AG. Yes, and two daughters, I am very happy about that. I live apart with my partner in Hamburg, but it's okay.
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Stephan Söhngen1:51
And despite that, the Wuppertal note is still slightly audible. But you are, and you say it clearly, you are a true Frankfurter. Because you have been in Frankfurt longer than the average residency time of everyone living in Frankfurt. Since 1991, I say 30 years or over 30 years.
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Stefan Schulte2:04
And just like everyone else, the first two or three years you think, 'How long will you stay here?' And today I find Frankfurt totally awesome, a really beautiful city. I feel very comfortable here. But when you mentioned Wuppertal—of course it shaped me a bit. This transition between the Rhineland's lightness and Westphalia's consistency, ambition for achievement. My parents raised me with performance, having my own standards, being disciplined, and then Cologne's Rhineland attitude added to it. That combination characterizes me. I believe many small interfaces are found in the Frankfurt mentality, and that's why I ended up in Frankfurt. Frankfurt is my home. A really great city. We'll talk about that more after a short music break.
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Stephan Söhngen3:29
Radio Frankfurt presents exciting topics and interview guests that make our city what it is. Welcome to Frankfurt. And we continue in Frankfurt on Radio Frankfurt from the Skyline Studios. Stefan Schulte, the head of Fraport, is our guest tonight. And we've already talked about how you came to Frankfurt, that you've been here a long time, that you feel at home here. I'm curious: what is your oldest memory of Frankfurt?
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Stefan Schulte4:15
There are two memories. The first time I arrived was right after my studies and doctorate in 1991, working at Deutsche Bank. It was a young department with high demands, and every evening we went to the Bitburger, letting loose. That shaped me—Frankfurt is a performance-oriented city, a city where you work a bit more than in other cities. That has a positive side and a downside. The second memory: in 2003, I came back from Italy and Cologne and started at Fraport AG. On my first day, my daughter was enrolled in school and I was directly approached by people asking to meet. That's the other side—this city is incredibly open. Everyone comes up to you, and I was very warmly received. They always say Cologne is an open city, but Frankfurt is much more open, with many interested people. That's what excites me about this city: people of all nationalities and all walks of life.
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Stephan Söhngen5:52
It's nice that you highlight this speed. Is Frankfurt much faster than other cities or regions in Germany?
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Stefan Schulte6:00
In business life, definitely yes—clearly faster and more ambitious. That's positive. But administrative processes are not always so fast; I wish some things would run a bit quicker. For example, the multi-purpose hall—I think it's crucial for the attractiveness of this city as an employer and for quality of life. Now after 20 years, a location has been decided, and I hope it goes through. We need it.
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Stephan Söhngen6:33
Yes, yes. And despite this speed, there is also cordiality and coziness. Is that a special characteristic you appreciate?
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Stefan Schulte6:42
Frankfurt is a world city, thanks to the airport. I love it—the most beautiful workplace. But it's also like a village: small distances, great cultural and gastronomic offerings, and the surrounding region. And the city districts each have their own character, like Sachsenhausen, Berger Strasse, Bockenheim, or Nordend. You can retreat to your district and feel at home—village-like on the inside, big city on the outside. That's what I like about it.
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Stephan Söhngen7:50
We'll continue talking about diversity and especially internationality, which you have a bit to do with from your professional background. We'll be back with Stefan Schulte from Fraport.
We're back in Frankfurt and we have a very special guest today: Dr. Schulte from Fraport, the largest workplace in Hesse. Dear Mr. Schulte, we want to talk about diversity. Why is Frankfurt so typically international?
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Stefan Schulte8:39
Frankfurt has always been shaped by trade, by travel, by being here, by international business connections—whether through the airport, the trade fair, or the banks. That shapes us and projects us more and more. Many people stay, which is a prerequisite for a city, and yet we remain very open, a city open to all cultures, all different personalities and nationalities. I think integration is very good—we don't exclude by nationality or similar, but there is strong mixing across all levels: between wealthy people, successful people, and many who are not so well off. Yet this city is open to all sides and does not exclude anyone.
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Stephan Söhngen9:44
We have a partner here, Radio Frankfurt, and also Newcomers, with Hassan Annouri, who created the Frankfurt hymn 'We Are All Frankfurters.' That message is clear: it doesn't matter, we are all Frankfurters, we stand together. That's also true of many successful business people here who are very engaged—not only culturally but also socially, helping those who are less fortunate.
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Stefan Schulte10:13
That's great. Civic engagement, not only in culture but also in the social sphere, integrating people who haven't been so lucky into working life, giving them a chance, a second chance. There are many initiatives, like those supported by Fraport and the Helferstiftung, to show people who may not have had a successful education a way into the labor market. That is Frankfurt, and I think that's great.
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Stephan Söhngen10:46
Is there a Frankfurt district, so to speak, that is a microcosm of Frankfurt—the airport?
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Stefan Schulte11:11
Yes. When you go into the terminal halls and see people greeting their loved ones with joy after a flight, that alone is brilliant. And when you have contact with over 100 airlines, talking to Chinese, Koreans, you experience a completely different cultural openness and background, including discussions similar to local ones. That always fascinates me because it brings in completely new perspectives. And at the end of the day, we have 300 destinations you can reach from Frankfurt every day—quickly into the world and quickly back. We connect people. And then I'm in the Frankfurt district of the airport, and a quarter of an hour later I'm having apple wine—that's the special thing.
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Stephan Söhngen12:18
That's the diversity that Frankfurt offers. It's more than Frankfurt—we have the region, Offenbach, the Taunus—all different, all contributing. Your eyes light up when you talk about the region and Frankfurt. Originally from Wuppertal, now your home is here. That was wonderful. Let's talk about your goals and what you plan. We'll have a short music break.
Stefan Schulte, Dr. Stefan Schulte from Fraport, my guest tonight on the Frankfurt talk on Radio Frankfurt. I'd like to ask: what drives you? We look back to 2003, almost a generation ago. What were your big wishes back then, and where are you today looking back on that time?
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Stefan Schulte13:44
I was incredibly lucky with this development. I couldn't have imagined it in 2003. I started as CFO, also responsible for international business, and there was a small problem in Manila, which was probably the reason I was brought in. And now I've been CEO for twelve years. I owe this company a lot. What always drove me is my own standard of achievement. But combined with a certain lightness—you can't take everything too seriously. Set high demands and expect the best from employees every day, but also be courageous. There will be setbacks; you mustn't dwell on them, just move forward and look ahead.
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Stephan Söhngen15:04
You are also down-to-earth, as they say in Frankfurt, you pitch in. I heard that when things got tight with baggage, you were at the baggage belt on weekends helping out.
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Stefan Schulte15:24
My father shaped me. He came from a farm, worked hard. As a teenager, I was annoyed that I couldn't just ride through the alleys on a moped like others—I had to help. That forms a person. So I like to pitch in. On the other hand, we Frankfurters also know how to enjoy life. I like having a sociable glass of wine, a good conversation, but then the next moment be fully present and take responsibility. I have huge respect for the employees who work in 40–50 degrees on the concrete, loading and unloading planes. They do their job every day, and I think that's great.
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Stephan Söhngen16:33
How does it continue? Long-term goals? You said almost a generation at Fraport, then another generation. What are your goals?
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Stefan Schulte16:44
First, we want to get the current problems under control. I'm optimistic that next year things will run much better. Our aim is to return to smooth operations: flights depart on time, no waiting, everything runs like clockwork. I want to do a good job at Fraport for a few more years—the supervisory board will decide when it ends. After that, I have many dreams, but no second career. I'd like to see the world from a different perspective—travel, not just business meetings in a city, but really understand countries and the world. Also, seeing social injustice and emergencies in Africa makes me think: maybe I can contribute something there, maybe through a social project or something else. Or maybe a small boutique hotel by the sea—that's a dream. But right now I'm fully focused on the company.
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Stephan Söhngen18:02
When one experiences your energy and also your family background, one believes that could become very exciting paths. Stefan Schulte, we'll be right back. We'll have a short music break and then we'll have the final round.
And the evening progresses high above the city. It's already dark now. We're hosting the Frankfurt talk every Monday evening on Radio Frankfurt, today with the head of Frankfurt Airport, CEO of Fraport AG, Stefan Schulte. Now it gets a bit more relaxed. Dear Stefan Schulte, what's your favorite joke?
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Stefan Schulte19:03
Good question. I'm not a great joke teller. But if I do tell jokes, they're the really corny ones. For example: Why is sugar smarter? Because it's refined. Or: I just bought two snow shovels. Why? Because we've got a parship.
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Stephan Söhngen19:37
Great. And not discriminatory, so that's good. We have a small gift for you as a thank you. Stefan Schulte, what did you get? A Frankfurt City Pass. I haven't checked if the airport is on it. The train station is on it, but you can puzzle towards the airport. Perhaps we'll make an extension and include Frankfurt Airport. You know where the airport used to be? It should be on there.
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Stefan Schulte20:33
The airport started around 100 years ago at the Rebstockgelände. Then it moved, contrary to all advice that it was too damp and foggy for an airport. That was a wise decision. After the Second World War, Lufthansa was rebuilt and it was firmly convinced that everything from North America would go through Hamburg and everything from the Southeast through Munich, with flights in between. Frankfurt Airport was essentially not considered, only as a small regional airport. The city pushed and provided the exclusive premises for Lufthansa's basis. If that decision had been different, Frankfurt might not have become the international hub it is today. That is a historic decision, and I hope with Terminal 3 we are making the right decision for the future.
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Stephan Söhngen21:46
I'm curious about that. Yes, it's a year of change for you. Every morning coffee—we think you should combine the city and airport. So we gave you a Fraport coffee mug with the skyline and airport reference, not paper, a sturdy sustainable mug. You'll drink your morning coffee and think of us. One last question, like a job interview: Where will you be in five years, Mr. Schulte?
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Stefan Schulte22:49
Still commuting between Hamburg and Frankfurt with my partner. We are week in, week out here and there. Two great cities. Hamburg has a lot of water on the Elbe, but my partner is coming to Frankfurt more and more, which is good.
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Stephan Söhngen23:23
So if we can help persuade your partner, we'll be happy to. Greetings to Hamburg. One last piece of information about Frankfurt and the topic of internationality: We have overtaken Hamburg in terms of consular representation. Frankfurt is now the most international city in that regard. The airport contributes to that. Stefan Schulte on the Frankfurt talk, thank you for being here. Good night to you all out there. Have a great evening and a wonderful summer with holidays made possible of course via Fraport. Thank you very much.