2.2 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport during the shortest month of the year. Two winter weekends with many travelers and a generally increasing number of transfer passengers made it the busiest February ever at the airport. However, the unrest in the Middle East is creating uncertainty and has affected parts of air traffic towards the end of the month. 

In February, holidaymakers left a clear mark on traffic at Copenhagen Airport. As many as 2.2 million passengers passed through the terminals, which is 11 percent more than last year.

”We have never before had so many passengers pass through the airport in February. The winter holidays and the Danish cold caused many to turn their eyes to the sun and warmth of Asia or Southern Europe, while others chose the ski slopes on snow-covered mountains in the Alps,” says Peter Krogsgaard, Commercial Manager at Copenhagen Airport.

The most popular sun destinations in February were Spain and Thailand with 190,000 and 42,000 travelers respectively, which is a total of eight percent more than last year. In the Alps, it was the ski destinations in Switzerland, Italy and Austria that attracted a total increase of 17,000 travelers.

Unrest in the Middle East affects air traffic
Since Saturday, February 28, air traffic in the Middle East has been affected by the unrest, which has closed large parts of the region's airspace. Over the past four days, this has resulted in 47 cancelled flights between Copenhagen and various destinations in the Middle East.

”So far, around 12,000 travellers to and from Copenhagen have been affected by the situation. We understand that it is frustrating for those whose journeys are cancelled, and not least for those who are stranded abroad and cannot get home. Safety is the absolute top priority, and it remains to be seen how long the airspace over the region will remain closed. We are working closely with the affected airlines at Copenhagen Airport so that the planes can return to the wings as soon as the airspace opens again,” says Peter Krogsgaard.

Passengers to and from the Middle East make up three percent of the total number of passengers at Copenhagen Airport. A large proportion of travelers stop in the region to fly on to other destinations, for example in Asia.

Copenhagen Airport recommends that travelers stay informed via the airline's website, app or SMS notifications. You can also check the status of all departures and arrivals on the airport's website cph.dk or the CPH Airport app.

More travelers in transfer
A very large part of the passenger growth in February is due to an increasing number of transfer passengers. 615,000 travelers were connecting on a stopover in Copenhagen to fly further out into the world. This is as much as 47 percent more than last year.

”"It is in transfer traffic that we are experiencing the greatest growth. We can really see the results of SAS concentrating more of its traffic to Copenhagen Airport, so that now more than one in four passengers at the airport is in transfer on their way to their final destination," says Peter Krogsgaard.
 The vast majority of transfer passengers are Norwegians, Swedes and Danes who land in Copenhagen to change planes and fly on to destinations in North America, the Middle East and Asia. However, there are also a growing number of Americans and travelers from Asia who use Copenhagen as a gateway to Europe.

Oslo, Stockholm and Aalborg are the three destinations with the most transfer passengers. In February, there were 125,000, 109,000 and 68,000 passengers between Copenhagen and the three cities, respectively, which is a total increase of 23 percent compared to last year. Four out of ten passengers on the routes were in transition.
 

Transmission traffic is important for Denmark
Copenhagen Airport is Northern Europe's largest transport hub, and transfer traffic is important for Denmark.
 ”The positive development of transfer traffic makes it possible to attract and develop direct routes that would otherwise not be available from Copenhagen Airport. Without transfer passengers, many routes – especially long-haul routes – from Copenhagen would simply not be possible to maintain,” says Peter Krogsgaard.

Last year, the airline opened 47 new routes, bringing Copenhagen Airport's total to 367 routes worldwide. And with a record number of routes, it's never been easier for Denmark to travel the world – and for the world to come to Denmark.

”The many good flight connections from Copenhagen benefit the Danish economy. Danish companies have fast and efficient access to the world, and international companies and qualified workers choose Denmark. Last year, tourism reached new heights with more visitors benefiting hotels, restaurants and shops, and jobs are being created all over Denmark,” says Peter Krogsgaard.

Copenhagen Airport expects the trend to continue with even more passengers via Copenhagen, a stronger network and an even greater profit for the Danish economy.