Frankfurt's airport saw passenger numbers increase by 6.5 percent to a new record in 2011 though it handled less freight than the previous year, AP reported. Operator Fraport AG said Friday that Frankfurt - continental Europe's second-busiest airport - handled 56.44 million passengers last year. That's up from 53 million in 2010. Last year saw Frankfurt inaugurate a long-awaited fourth runway. It also was the second consecutive year of strong growth in Germany, Europe's biggest economy. But the picture for air freight was less rosy amid economic troubles elsewhere. Fraport says Frankfurt handled 2.8 percent less freight in 2011 - with the total volume slipping to 2.39 million U.S. tons (2.17 million metric tons) from 2.46 million U.S. tons (2.23 million metric tons).
