Nine million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport during the three summer months of June, July and August. That was one million more passengers than last year – or a year-on-year improvement of 13 per cent. Despite fewer flights, Copenhagen Airport saw a marked increase in the number of passengers on the European routes and in the number of transfer passengers travelling via Copenhagen to other destinations around the world.
Summer is the peak season at Copenhagen Airport with our terminals teeming with holiday-bound travellers. A total of 2.95 million passengers travelled through the airport in August, an increase of 360,000 on August 2023. That brings the total number of passengers for the three summer months of June, July and August to nine million.
“Despite a drop in the number of passenger flights to and from Copenhagen Airport, we had an excellent summer that was fully on a par with 2018 and 2019, our busiest summers to date. This is because more airlines now use more modern aircraft that accommodate more passengers and because the airlines are now better at filling the aircraft,” says Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer of Copenhagen Airports A/S.
A total of 22,153 passenger aircraft took off and landed at Copenhagen Airport in August, compared with 23,261 in August 2019. This corresponds to a five per cent reduction in the number of flights in August, while the number of passengers passing through the airport remained the same. The load factor, or the average number of seats filled from Copenhagen, was as much as 81.0 per cent in August compared with 79.0 per cent in 2019.
Summer in Europe
The European routes to and from Copenhagen saw strong growth. In the three summer months, the number of passengers travelling to European destinations was up 12 per cent on last summer, mainly driven by the three largest airlines at Copenhagen Airport: SAS, Norwegian and Ryanair.
“We saw a marked increase in the number of passengers on the European routes. Because flights to and from our 128 European destinations make up 85 per cent of our total traffic, it has a great impact on us when Europe is on a growth path. The passengers are Danes bound for sunny destinations in southern Europe, but we also see a growing number of southern European tourists visiting Denmark and Copenhagen,” says Peter Krogsgaard.
With 716,000 passengers, Spanish destinations ranked top by some margin among the most popular countries of destination in southern Europe, followed by Italy, Greece, France and Turkey.
The routes to and from Italy saw the strongest growth in the number of passengers. Some 609,000 passengers travelled between Copenhagen and Italian airports during the three summer months, a year-on-year increase of 35 per cent.
More transfer passengers in Copenhagen
The total increase in passenger numbers over the summer was also driven by a growing number of transfer passengers travelling via Copenhagen, using the airport as a stopover on their journey to destinations around the world.
The number of transfer passengers in the three summer months grew by 19 per cent on the year-earlier period. The vast majority of transfer passengers at Copenhagen Airport fly in from airports in northern Europe, especially from Sweden and Norway and other Danish airports.
“We are very pleased with the increase in the number of transfer passengers. It strengthens our position as a key traffic hub, and it shows that many travellers see us as an attractive airport with a comprehensive route network to many parts of the world,” Peter Krogsgaard explains.
This year – so far – more than 3.7 million transfer journeys have been made to and out of Copenhagen Airport. SAS, which is the largest airline at Copenhagen Airport, accounts for the vast majority of transfer passengers – approximately 80 per cent.
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have today announced the launch of their ninth Italian gateway from Birmingham Airport, with flights and holidays via Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport going on sale for Summer 25.
In addition to this exciting news, customers and independent travel agents across the Midlands now have even more choice when it comes to holidaying in the famous region, as the UK’s largest tour operator has put a range of hotels on sale across the Amalfi Coast, as well as introducing the port city of Salerno which becomes a brand-new resort for Jet2holidays.
Today’s exciting expansion means that customers travelling from Birmingham Airport with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays can access a brand-new gateway to the Amalfi Coast from May 2025.
The addition of Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport, which has recently reopened to commercial flights, means the companies will operate to nine Italian airports from Birmingham Airport across all seasons (eight in Summer 25). Today’s announcement makes it even easier for customers to travel to an iconic stretch of Italian coastline, and the move comes on the back of strong demand from UK holidaymakers.
As a result of today’s announcement, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will operate weekly Monday services to the Amalfi Coast (Salerno) from Birmingham Airport from 26th May to 29th September 2025, with both routes being exclusive to the companies.
As well as putting this new airport on sale, Jet2holidays has also gone on sale with a range of new hotels located on the Amalfi Coast, with a selection of new hotels available to book now in the resorts of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Vietri sul Mare. In addition, holidaymakers will be able to choose from a choice of hotels in a brand-new resort to Jet2holidays – the city of Salerno. Sitting just on the edge of the world-famous Amalfi Coast and conveniently close to a host of tourist hotspots, this ancient port city features a cathedral, old town, parks and museums.
The Amalfi Coast, located on Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, is an unforgettable holiday destination, offering a combination of Neapolitan Riviera scenery and beautiful beaches. As one of Italy’s most scenic and glamourous of coastlines, the 50-kilometre-long stretch is carved out of the cliffs and has 500ft vertical drops producing incredible views. Boasting UNESCO World Heritage site status, today’s launch provides even greater choice and flexibility for holidaymakers looking to reach one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
The launch gives customers from across the region the opportunity to travel directly to the Amalfi Coast and Salerno with a flight-only booking with Jet2.com, or a package holiday with Jet2holidays while enjoying the companies’ award-winning benefits and customer service which has seen both brands be named Travel Brand of the Year at the Which? Awards and Which? Recommended Providers.
A package holiday with Jet2holidays includes VIP customer service, transfers to and from the airport and ATOL protection, along with friendly flight times and a generous 22kg baggage allowance with Jet2.com, all for a low £60 per person deposit.
Customers travelling with Jet2.com receive that same industry leading customer service, friendly low fares, great flight times and 10kg hand luggage allowance.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The launch of Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport for Summer 25 gives customers and independent travel agents fantastic access to the beautiful, iconic Amalfi Coast and we are delighted to be adding this brand-new gateway from Birmingham Airport. As well as giving customers and independent travel agents direct access to the Amalfi Coast, we are expanding the number of Italian Airports we have on sale to nine. To give holidaymakers an even bigger slice of ‘La Dolce Vita’ we are also very pleased to be announcing a selection of hotels available to book now across the Amalfi Coast and surrounding region, not to mention a brand-new resort in the beautiful port city of Salerno.”
He added: “The Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic destinations across the world, so we are very confident that these new flights and holidays will be a big hit with local holidaymakers wanting to explore the pastel-painted villages and cliffs that the destination is famous for. We look forward to taking customers on their well-deserved holidays to the Amalfi Coast and Salerno and we know that our VIP customer service will be the perfect pairing with this iconic destination.”
Tom Screen, Aviation Director at Birmingham Airport said: “The news of this ninth Italian destination from Birmingham with Jet2, will be music to the ears of customers seeking an idyllic summer getaway next year. The people of the West Midlands and beyond will now have even more affordable choices available as they plan their next picture-perfect escape.”
He added: “This latest addition to services is testament to the relationship between Birmingham Airport and Jet2, which continues to provide ever-more choice for our customers.”
For further information and to book visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com
As part of enhancements to the customer journey, including the new security search area, a new service has been put in place for customers who use Sunflower Lanyards as a way of discreetly making others aware of their hidden disability.
To ensure that customers, who require the Sunflower Lanyard service can access it, a new ‘check-in’ facility will be introduced. This new check-in system will ensure that passengers, with hidden disabilities, can be assisted by trained colleagues from the airport whilst travelling through.
From Monday 5th August 2024 all customers using a Sunflower Lanyard will need to first register with the Assisted Travel desk on-site, before accessing security. Once registered, airport teams can discuss the level of assistance required with customers, ensuring a consistent level of service for those that require it.
Chris Wilson, Head of Terminal Operations said: “The Sunflower Lanyard has been in place for many years here at Birmingham Airport to assist our customers with hidden disabilities and those requiring assistance whilst travelling through the airport. This new process ensures we can fully support our customers with the help they need, whether from the check-in point to the aircraft or just through the security process. The choice is up to our customers, ensuring their independence.”
“Our customers are at the heart of what we do. This new check-in service will help us deliver the best customer service to everyone, while also allowing us to understand how many people need support at any given time.”
Birmingham Airport added that the service is there to ensure that the airport journey is as stress-free and calm as possible for those with hidden disabilities. It is not a service that will fast track any processes that others may be experiencing at the airport.
Andy Wright, Independent Chairman of the Birmingham Airport Accessibility Forum commenting on the new scheme said: “I am aware of the increase in passengers now requiring a Sunflower Lanyard, most of which appear to already be in possession of their own lanyard. This new scheme will help better manage the service offered to customers registering directly with the Assisted Travel team upon arrival. This will ensure that the resource can now be better utilised to support those for whom the Sunflower Lanyard policy was originally created.”
The new process for customers is:
Birmingham Airport caters for all customers, and it is known that travel, can at times, be an overwhelming process for some so the airport has measures in place to support its assisted travel and hidden disability passengers. These include:
Further detail can be found on this initiative here:
Assisted Travel at Birmingham Airport | Birmingham Airport Website