12.11.2007
Political debate in the air

On 7 November, Sterling had invited people for an election meeting in the air for the first time in the history of Denmark. Eight kilometres in the air, the Danish Minister for Transport, a number of transport policy spokespersons, industry people and other voters discussed subjects such as the important role of the airport in the globalisation process and environmentally correct ways of conducting airline operations.
 
The debate took place on board Sterling’s new Boeing-737 bound for Aalborg, Denmark on 7 November. The passengers on the flight included Jakob Axel Nielsen, Danish Minister for Transport, and a number of transport policy spokespersons who had been invited to discuss transport policy issues in Denmark seen from the air.

Copenhagen Airport matches other international airports

Denmark’s role in the globalised world was discussed eight kilometres in the air. In his opening address in the debate, Transport Minister Jakob Axel Nielsen said that Copenhagen Airport is to be a metropolis airport. As a centre of activity, Copenhagen Airport must be able to hold its own in the growing competition with airports in locations such as Stockholm, Sweden and Berlin, Germany. The airport is a key factor in the development of business and tourism in a globalised world.

A high-flying debate

A broad range of political views were aired in the day’s high-flying debate of the day. One of the opinions expressed by the representative of the left-wing Unity List was that the number of flights should be reduced. Conversely, Jacob Jensen of the Liberal Party was of the opinion that Denmark is part of the globalisation process and should not focus on restrictions but rather on the airlines’ opportunities of reducing their CO2-consumption.

Political understanding of the importance of Copenhagen Airport

On board the flight was also Brian Petersen, CEO of Copenhagen Airports, who praised Sterling for providing the facilities for such an untraditional and constructive event. He said that it was interesting that both the Transport Minister and a broad circle of politicians had expressed their understanding of the vital importance to Denmark of Copenhagen Airport:
 
"We are part of the globalisation process, and the airport plays a key role in this process vis-à-vis trade and industry, tourism and individual citizens. We are facing a challenge in respect of CO2, and the parties at the airport must work together to reduce fuel consumption and find environmentally correct ways of operating air transport," said Petersen.