Many Summer Travellers Passed Through Copenhagen Airport in July
3.4 million passengers travelled to and from Copenhagen Airport in July. Spain and Italy topped the list of the most popular holiday destinations, while more international visitors made their way to Denmark.
The summer holiday season encouraged many Danes and residents of southern Sweden to pack their suitcases and travel abroad. In July, 3.453 million passengers travelled through Copenhagen Airport, an increase of 3.6 per cent compared with the same month last year.
"July was a month of high travel activity. Many Danes have been travelling on holiday, while Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark continue to attract international visitors. Strong air connectivity makes it easier to travel the world, but it also makes Denmark more accessible to tourists and international businesses," says Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer at Copenhagen Airport.
Two out of every three passengers at Copenhagen Airport are international travellers, while Danish passengers travelling abroad or returning home account for one third of all passengers.
Spain and Italy Top the List
Many Danes headed for Southern Europe in July. Spain was the most popular holiday destination, with Malaga, Majorca and Barcelona ranking among the most sought-after destinations. In total, 294,000 passengers travelled between Copenhagen and the 12 Spanish destinations served by direct flights.
Italy was the fastest-growing market, taking second place on the list with 11 per cent more passengers than last year. In July, 263,000 passengers travelled to and from Italy. Greece, Turkey and France followed as the most visited Mediterranean countries. Altogether, 1.1 million passengers travelled between Copenhagen and one of these five countries, equivalent to one in every three travellers in July.
"Italy is incredibly popular. This summer, airlines have added more capacity on routes to Italy, and interest in the country has grown significantly. At the same time, more Italians are choosing to visit Denmark, so we are also seeing many Italian travellers in our terminals this summer," says Peter Krogsgaard.
From South to North
The extensive network of direct flights makes Denmark more accessible, and interest among Southern European tourists in visiting Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark continues to grow.
"The trend we have seen in recent years is continuing, with travellers from Southern Europe choosing so-called ‘coolcation’ destinations with a milder summer climate. Denmark ranks highly thanks to its Scandinavian summer weather and long, light evenings," says Peter Krogsgaard.
Last year, visitors from Spain, Italy, France and Greece set a record with 1.5 million overnight stays in Denmark, and growth is continuing. According to Statistics Denmark, the number of overnight stays from these four countries increased by 3 per cent during the first five months of the year.
"Copenhagen and Denmark continue to be highly attractive destinations for European tourists. More direct air routes make it easier to visit, and the benefits are felt across society when more visitors come here. They support jobs, bring life to our high streets, fill tables in restaurants, and attract more guests to museums and attractions," says Peter Krogsgaard.
