July was Copenhagen Airport’s busiest month ever. More than three million passengers passed through the terminals, and the previous passenger record for a single day at the airport was broken no less than six times. Although the desire to travel is increasing, the busiest travel day of the year saw nine percent fewer arrivals and departures than the busiest day in 2019.
Passengers are keen to enjoy a sunny holiday in Spain or on the Greek islands. July was the month with the highest passenger numbers in the 99-year history of Copenhagen Airport. A total of 3.189 million passengers travelled through the airport, which is 13 percent more than in the same month last year.
In the summer of 2019, 109,000 passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport on a single day. This previous daily record has now been broken. In July alone, more than 109,000 passengers passed through the terminals six times, and on Monday, July 22, the number exceeded 115,000, making it the busiest travel day in the airport’s history.
“We are pleased that the desire to travel among travelers from Denmark and southern Sweden who fly out into the world from Copenhagen Airport remains high. But we also welcome many foreign guests who want to experience everything that Copenhagen and Denmark have to offer,” says Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer of Copenhagen Airports A/S.
Spain remains the most popular travel destination
As usual, Spain is the most popular destination for a sun holiday, with Mallorca, Malaga and Barcelona being the preferred routes. More than 270,000 passengers travelled to and from Spain in July. When it comes to charter destinations, Greece is the clear favourite, with the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes being the destinations of choice for charter tourists in the summer.
Italy, France and Turkey were also among the most popular destinations for sun holidays in July and London once again tops the list of the most popular city destinations.
On long-haul routes, flights to the USA, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are among the most popular connections for passengers and recorded an increase in passengers of between 27 and 34 percent in July compared to the same period last year.
Fewer arrivals and departures despite passenger record
Despite increasing passenger numbers, Copenhagen Airport saw fewer departures and arrivals than in 2019, the year before air traffic came to a standstill due to the pandemic.
On the busiest day for travel on July 22, there were 722 departures and arrivals at Copenhagen Airport, which is nine percent less than on the busiest day in 2019, when 791 aircraft were in use. This is due to more modern aircraft types that are larger and more fuel efficient.
“Today, fewer aircraft are needed than before to transport so many passengers to and from Denmark. This development has been facilitated by the fact that airlines have access to modern and more fuel-efficient aircraft with more seats. In addition, airlines have improved their load factors, which is very positive,” says Peter Krogsgaard.
Summer is generally a busy time for Copenhagen Airport, with nine million passengers expected in the terminals during the months of June, July and August.
Facts about aircraft types at Copenhagen Airport
On European routes, there was a significant decline in the use of the 156-seat Airbus 319 aircraft between 2019 and 2024 in favor of the Airbus 320, which can carry 180 passengers.
On overseas routes, the four-engine, 247-seat Airbus 340 has been completely phased out. The most frequently used aircraft types in 2024 will be the 300-seat Airbus 330 and 350 and the 256-seat Boeing Dreamliner (B787). These are twin-engine, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
