Hub 1973-1999

Contemplation of opportunities

Throughout the 1970s, airport traffic continued to grow, but the airport was not expanded further. A new large airport on the island of Saltholm (with a connecting bridge to Denmark and Sweden) was on the drawing board. It would be a huge investment, and the proposal was evaluated thoroughly by many experts.

In 1980, however, the Danish parliament instead decided to expand the capacity of Copenhagen Airport to 20-22 million passengers by the year 2000. This solution was far cheaper than building a new airport and because the new types of aircraft were less noisy, an airport on Saltholm did not offer a decisive environmental gain.

An international hub

The expansion of the airport began in 1982, after the necessary period of planning. The intention was not to build Europe’s largest airport, but to build transit passengers’ favourite airport. A stay at the airport was supposed to be an integral part of the travel experience. Efficiency and precision were obvious demands, but focus was also on generating an oasis where international travellers could relax: beautiful architecture, Scandinavian design, and pleasant, light and comfortable surroundings with plenty of shops, restaurants and other facilities providing enjoyment and pleasure.
The construction of new cargo facilities began in the eastern area of the airport, far from the passenger terminals: new terminals, new aircraft stands (15 in all) and other technical facilities.

The airport of our time

In 1986, the old Pier B was replaced by a new, elegant pier constructed according to the most modern handling and comfort principles. The transit hall was expanded and modernised – among other things it included the world’s first ‘real’ airport shopping centre. The underlying idea was for the light and relaxing surroundings to give travellers an individual experience in

terms of shopping and recreation. In 1989, a new main domestic terminal (the western part of Terminal 1) was constructed and the international terminal expanded again. Two multi-storey car parks with a total of 2,400 parking lots were erected, as well as a new Pier A.
A number of important construction projects were completed in 1998: a pier connecting the domestic and international terminals; a new arrivals hall; new modern baggage handling facilities; an underground railway station with two large underground parking facilities; and above it all the spacious and impressive delta-shaped terminal (Terminal 3). The first stage of the new Pier D was completed in the spring of 1999.