DENMARK. Copenhagen Airport was able to overcome a number of airline bankruptcies in 2012 to set a new passenger record last year, with 23.3 million people passing through the Danish hub.
Passenger numbers rose by +2.7% year-on-year, with international traffic driving growth, up +5.3%. The airport also attributed the overall growth to an increase in the number of transfer passengers.
The new record was set despite the fact take-offs and landings were down -4.2% in 2012, meaning airlines had better load factors and used larger aircraft.
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Copenhagen Airport CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “The significant +7.3% increase in the number of transfer passengers and the +10.3% increase in the number of intercontinental passengers shows that we have strengthened our international position as the key northern European transport hub.
“Five major bankruptcies among European airlines in 2012 had a direct impact on operations at Copenhagen Airport, but we were still able to generate strong growth. That is a very satisfactory performance.”
Despite a record being set for the year, December saw a minor year-on-year drop in passenger numbers, which the airport said was probably down to people taking a long Christmas holiday away from the Danish winter weather and not returning until early 2013. It added it was “unusual” to have almost 60,000 more departing than arriving passengers during the month.
Among the highest profile bankruptcies to hit the airport in 2012 was that of Cimber Sterling, in May, which had previously been its third largest customer.
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