CPH: New billion-kroner expansion of the terminals will make room for 40 million passengers a year

Copenhagen Airport is now getting ready for its biggest construction project ever, as it heads towards an airport with room for 40 million passengers. The plan is to build an extension to the terminal area of 80,000 square metres – equivalent to a small super hospital.

It means that passengers, staff and airlines will acquire more space and improved conditions in the baggage reclaim area and the busy passenger area in the terminal between Gates C and B.

Innovatively, over the next 12 months, the airport will join the selected architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers with the goal of co-designing and developing the final project based on the principle of ‘Co-Creation’.

Co-Creation with a green purpose
”We are very optimistic about this close partnership in terms of the development of the project,” says Thomas Woldbye, CEO.

“It will be a building that presents the very best of Denmark: stunning Nordic architecture, environmental consideration, connectivity, spaciousness and uncomplicated service, and with everything within easy reach. Even if the airport grows, passengers in CPH will still get that feeling of having everything under one roof – unlike many other airports elsewhere in the world,” says Thomas Woldbye.

The new project is part of Copenhagen Airport’s expansion plan, which involves an investment of DKK 20 billion in building the airport of tomorrow with room for 40 million travellers and the many staff, airlines and ground handlers who handle the flights.

“Our task is to unite Denmark with the rest of the world in the best possible way. But the competition to retain and develop new routes in co-operation with the airlines is extremely tough. That is why we need to evolve if we are to retain our position as the leading gateway in Northern Europe,” says Thomas Woldbye.

More room for a significant expansion of the baggage reclaim area
The new project will unite the existing terminal area between Gates C and B with a future 270-metre-long, 60-metre-wide extension. The new building will make room for a significant expansion of the baggage reclaim area and an expansion of passport control for passengers departing and arriving at the airport’s C Gates.

“Passenger journeys through the airport should be exciting, efficient and safe. The new project also focuses on arrivals, with a much larger baggage reclaim area with far more space, light and air,” says Thomas Woldbye.

Building in the very heart of the airport will take place as flights, staff and passengers make use of the airport as per usual. It goes without saying that such a large construction project in the core of the airport will not be without its challenges. Errors may occur, leading to delays or inconvenience for passengers, airlines and other airport users. Naturally, the goal is to realise a project that will benefit anyone that uses Copenhagen Airport.

It is a challenge, which makes this expansion not only one of the biggest current construction projects in Denmark, but also one of the most complex.

Focus on sustainability
The Programme Director, Finn Bloch, is responsible for ensuring that the construction causes the least inconvenience for passengers, airlines and staff.

This time, we will have to draw on our extensive experience of major building projects in the heart of a busy airport, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. In this close partnership with architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers, we also plan to involve users – our staff, the airlines and ground handlers, and everyone else operating on a daily basis in the area – not only in the building but also in the entire process,” says Finn Bloch.

“For us it is important for the new terminal area to be top quality, and for the expansion of the terminal to be future-proof, flexible and, most of all, sustainable in any aspect we can, and where it makes sense.

It should be both beautiful and functional and we must also build on the basis of environmental consideration. Accordingly, everyone involved in the collaboration has signed a sustainability manifesto, which obliges us to opt for sustainable solutions and materials wherever that makes sense,” says Finn Bloch.

The picture illustrates a possible way of arranging the baggage reclaim area. 

Facts

• The terminal between Gates C and B will be expanded by 80,000 square metres.
• The extension will be 270 metres long and protrude 60 metres out from the existing façade.
• The first phase of construction will be completed by 2023; the second phase by 2028/29.
• The project will generate around 350 construction jobs throughout the period.
• Copenhagen Airport is investing approximately DKK 4 billion in the project. It is expected that the overall investment in making room for 40 million travellers will be DKK 20 billion.
• Currently, 30 million passengers pass through the terminals each year.
• The airport has just expanded Terminals 2 and 3 and the entire security checkpoint, and is in the process of building a Finger E, the first phase of which will be ready this summer.