30.04.2008
Necessary investments in growth

Headwind in the form of a challenging economic outlook, tightened demands to airports and increased competition must not lead Copenhagen Airports to depart from its growth strategy. It is the only way to go if Copenhagen Airport is to maintain its position as an international hub connecting Scandinavia with the rest of the world, believes the airport’s CEO who has just released an interim report which are in line with expectations.

“In January we released the airport’s new strategy which shall take Copenhagen Airport back to the world elite. The air transport industry faces big challenges in the shape of increasing oil prices and a challenging economic outlook. At the same time the demands to the airports have never been higher as a consequence of the increasing competition and tightened demands from the authorities. The passengers have also become accustomed to high standards as many airports have made significant investments. Therefore the strategy also takes into account that Copenhagen Airport cannot achieve an improved position as if by magic. It requires commitment from all parties and not least significant investments this year and the years to come,” says CEO of Copenhagen Airport Brian Petersen.

Constructions influences the passenger satisfaction
“We are investing in the airport of the future but we will not be rewarded for this by the passengers here and now. And for good reasons. Extensive reconstructions both in the transfer area, in Pier C and in the baggage reclaim area influences the overall impression of the airport. Construction walls take up light, air and space from the passengers. It will be good after it has been bad but right now it has a negative impact on passenger- and customer satisfaction. On the other hand we know that this kind of investments increase passenger satisfaction once they have been carried out. That’s the experience we had among others with the central security check which opened prior to the summer traffic in 2007. Prior to this year’s summer traffic we will also be ready with a range of new passenger improvements among others more baggage belts and new possibilities for self check in,” promises the airport CEO.

Tightened demands means higher costs
“The expected traffic growth is not up to the average growth in Europe. At the same time the airport’s operating costs have increased among others due to authority demands to security which requires large investments in Pier C just as we in the first quarter of 2008 employed 122 new security employees. All in all, the airport is in a phase where it is difficult to see the visible results of the large efforts made. But it is important that we stay on track now because if we don’t maintain the high level of investments Denmark will lack behind in the competition with present or future airports. For instance Berlin will be a new competitor in the coming years,” says Brian Petersen.