CPH milestone: 100,000 travelers on peak days
Copenhagen Airport’s Summer of Recovery
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) experienced a summer season like no other in recent years. The month of July saw over 2.8 million travelers gracing its terminals, a milestone that included two exceptional days with a footfall exceeding 100,000. This presents a significant marker in the airport’s journey toward recovery.
“With passenger numbers exceeding 100,000 on several days in July, we have reached a milestone on the road to recovery for air traffic. There is a strong appetite for travel, and our 177 direct routes to 52 different countries provide customers with plenty of choice,” – Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer, Copenhagen Airports A/S.
The two busiest travel days were recorded on Friday 14 July and Sunday 16 July, registering 101,225 and 100,013 passengers respectively.
Comprehensive Preparation at CPH
Aside from the two record-breaking days, the airport experienced passenger numbers exceeding the 95,000 mark on ten separate days in July. All airport businesses were ready for the increased traffic.
To handle the increased footfall, CPH employed 200 additional staff to the existing 1,000-strong team hired in 2022. The airport positioned most of these new recruits in security to ensure smooth operation during the busy summer period.
“The many peak travel days makes summer a particularly busy period, and we need everyone to perform at their best if we are to provide good service to our passengers and help them get a great start to their holidays. This summer, everyone was ready – even though the high season will invariably produce brief periods when higher passenger flows lead to longer waiting times,” – Krogsgaard.
Challenges Encountered
Despite successfully handling traffic at Copenhagen Airport, there were challenges elsewhere. Air traffic control problems and severe weather caused operational difficulties for France and Germany.
The Buzz on Favored Destinations from Copenhagen Airport’s July Traffic
Among European destinations, passenger levels are at an impressive 94% recovery rate. It’s taking more time to restore long-haul international routes, particularly those to Asia and China.
London remains the most favored destination, attracting 172,000 passengers in July alone. Despite a wet July in Denmark, Spain drew many tourists, with 450,000 travelers recorded in the first two summer months.
Several Spanish destinations saw a surge in popularity compared to pre-Covid times. In July, Màlaga and Palma saw an index rise to 111 and 106, respectively, compared to 2019.
Regarding charter destinations, Greece stands out as the top choice. Of the 290,000 travelers to Greek destinations in June and July, 180,000 were on pure charter flights, with Crete being the most preferred Greek destination.