03.07.2008
Low-cost traffic at CPH shows strong growth

Copenhagen Airports A/S experiences massive growth in the low-cost segment. Last year, the number of passengers on low-cost carriers at Copenhagen Airport grew by more than 10%. Most recently, easyJet, Air Berlin and Sterling have announced new routes and additional frequencies to a number of major European cities.

This year alone, a number of low-cost carriers have announced six new routes out of Copenhagen as well as planned capacity increases on an additional six existing routes. Last year, low-cost traffic increased by 10.5%, and there is every indication that the rate of increase will be even higher this year.

“Almost all the traffic growth at Copenhagen over the past eight years has been driven by low-cost traffic. In 2007, we reached three million low-cost passengers, and we expect this traffic to increase even more in the years to come. If the current trend continues, there is every indication that the growth rate for this year alone will be 13-14%,” said Brian Petersen, President and CEO of Copenhagen Airports A/S.

Interest from several sources
The eight low-cost carriers with routes into and out of Copenhagen as well as a number of others have shown interest in the facilities and opportunities offered by Copenhagen Airport.

“We have ongoing talks with a large number of cairrers about developing both new and existing routes out of Copenhagen. In particular, a number of low-cost carriers are looking at the potential of launching routes from Copenhagen to a number of attractive city destinations. There is great potential for growth, and the low-cost carriers are interested in working with us because we offer high quality at a favourable price,” said Brian Petersen.

Three new low-cost initiatives
The latest announcements of expansion in the low-cost segment came from Air Berlin, Sterling and easyJet.

From November, Air Berlin, a German-based low-cost carrier, will add another frequency on its Copenhagen-Berlin service, so that the carrier will offer return flights to the German capital both in the morning and the evening on all business days. On weekends, Air Berlin will continue to offer one daily frequency.

Other initiatives in the low-cost area include an increase of Sterling’s daily frequencies from three to four, and easyJet has announced that they will launch a Copenhagen-Milan service in October.