Cargo volumes dropped in 2008

Cargo volumes at Copenhagen Airport were 12.2% lower in 2008 than in 2007. This was caused both by the high oil prices in the early part of the year and the subsequent economic crisis. The decline was especially seen within the volume of transfer cargo. The number of cargo operations fell by 11% to 8,693, whilst total take-off weight fell by 4.5%.

There used to be a shortage of capacity, but this shortage has now been turned into surplus capacity. This means that the part of cargo that used to be transferred at CPH can now be carried on direct routes instead of being carried via Copenhagen.

Although cargo volumes fell in 2008, the number of cargo flights was largely constant. Several operators added extra capacity towards the end of the year, which meant that the number of take-offs and landings increased in November and December despite the drop in cargo volumes.

Transfer cargo accounted for approximately 70% of total cargo volumes in 2008, underlining CPH’s position as a hub airport. Transfer cargo is cargo that is reloaded at Copenhagen Airport, either from flight to flight, from truck to flight or vice versa.

The total volume of incoming cargo fell to 47,425 tonnes in 2008. This represents a 7.3% year-on-year fall. Outgoing cargo was down by 11.5% to 54,261 tonnes, and transfer cargo dropped by 13.3% to 245,470 tonnes. The combined fall in cargo volumes was 12.2% to 347,156 tonnes.