A growing short- and long-haul network

2019 saw the opening of 16 new destinations in Copenhagen Airport’s route network and 14 new routes for existing destinations. Altogether, CPH currently has a short-haul network of more than 140 direct destinations across Europe, Scandinavia and within Denmark. And when it comes to long-haul, in 2018 CPH handled 1.81 million long-haul passengers – 2019 will edge closer to two million departing passengers.

Looking ahead, 13 new routes have already been announced for 2020. Still eager to fill unserved route opportunities, the UK and Ireland remain good prospects for development, including Newcastle (5,717), Glasgow (3,888) and Belfast (1,862). Looking at long-haul, securing a service to Seoul is CPH’s #1 priority, with over 18,000 one-way passengers flying indirectly to the Korean capital city in the year ending August 2018, according to data from Sabre MI. And in terms of sheer size, Denpasar (26,000) is the biggest unserved market identified during the same period.

A strong year for cargo

CPH Cargo Community launched in February, with the goal to help drive collaboration, co-operation, information-sharing and efficiency across the Danish air freight industry. Members have been working on projects ranging from pharma to digitisation throughout the year.

Over the summer, LATAM Cargo opened a new direct pure freighter route between Copenhagen and South America. The new route was welcome news for freight forwarders and shippers, particularly within the pharmaceutical, food ingredients and automotive parts sectors in Denmark and Sweden. The route reduces shipment transit time by up to 48 hours, and operates with a CEIV Pharma cargo certification.

World Flight Services opened its state-of-the art pharma facility at Copenhagen Airport in September. The new 1,600 sqm building provides end-to-end handling in a temperature-controlled environment for 2-8°C pharma products incorporating acceptance, offload, pre-storage, build-up and storage.

New Pier E, baggage facility and Airport Square

Copenhagen Airport’s new 28,000 sqm Pier E opened in June, with eight new gates, a new passport control and plenty of room for travellers. In 2020, a further 8,000 sqm will open with three new flexible bus gates and two new contact gates for widebody aircraft for long distance routes.

Pier E is one example of how CPH is being modernised in order give the passengers a better experience in the airport. Earlier this year, work began on a new 10,000 sqm baggage facility, which is expected to be finished in spring 2021. And in September, CPH officially opened Airport Square, an urban oasis where travellers and locals alike can relax and play.

Transforming Copenhagen Airport

“If Copenhagen Airport is to deliver the capacity and efficiency required to support the airlines’ network of destinations in and out of Denmark, we have to develop and transform to meet the challenges of both today and of the future,” says Morten Mortensen, Director of Airline Sales & Route Development. “This will give us the strength we need to meet our goals related to a green transition – and it will also provide us with the opportunity to ensure the best possible physical setup of the airport.”

Copenhagen Airport (CPH A/S) has therefore applied to the Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority for a permit to displace the crosswind runway and create more apron areas for new aircraft types. This is expected to require an amendment of the airport's legal framework and planning regulation.

Copenhagen Airport strives to be one of Northern Europe's major hubs for the rest of the world and to contribute towards connecting Denmark. CPH invites everyone who has an interest in the development of the airport of the future to engage in dialogue with us.