2025 is a significant year for Copenhagen Airport as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Although history is important, management looks ahead, focusing on future developments and the modernization of the Nordic Air Hub, including the development of new cargo facilities, emphasized Peter Krogsgaard in his keynote to the 120 attendees of the 10th Nordic Air Cargo Symposium held at Copenhagen’s Clarion Hotel from 25-26MAR2025. Krogsgaard started his CPH career in 2014 and has since held various leading management positions there. Currently he is Chief Commercial Officer of Københavns Lufthavne A/S.
Cranes wherever one looks
The trade show is the only Scandinavia-held event focusing on the North European air freight market, bringing together cargo operators, forwarders, integrators, shippers, airlines, airports, investors, entrepreneurs, suppliers and customs officials.
The large number of cranes whose masts and jibs adorn the airport skyline is striking, demonstrating a wide range of construction activities. During an airport tour, the participants at the conference were able to see this for themselves.
Currently, a new passenger terminal is constructed, facilitating the growth of air operations and enhance the belly cargo capacity offered the Nordic market for shipping goods to and from CPH. Also, the parking stands for freighter aircraft has been enlarged to ensure the airport can accommodate the growing number of cargo aircraft. With cargo volumes increasing rapidly (+16% in 2024 y-o-y), Copenhagen Airport is on a clear upward trajectory with consistently high cargo load factors on intercontinental operating aircraft, stated Peter Krogsgaard.
Growing flight network
Today, CPH offers passengers and cargo clients a network encompassing 342 routes, including 40 long-haul destinations. According to SAS sources, there is substantial potential to expand the carrier’s network from its homebase CPH to cargo markets in Latin America, China, and Southeast Asia should AF-KLM become majority shareholder following their acquisition of a 19.9% stake in SAS last summer. This perspective of an enhanced route network offered passengers and cargo clients in close coordination with Air France-KLM was a driving force for the airline to change sides from the Star Alliance to the SkyTeam club.
Denmark is currently experiencing robust economic growth, with a GDP increase of 3.6% in 2024, one of the highest rates in Europe. According to forecasts from Danske Bank, this growth is expected to continue with a projected 3.9% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2026.
As an open economy, Denmark relies heavily on international trade, and a well-connected air cargo network plays a critical role in facilitating this. Particularly, the air freight capacity is vital for Denmark’s export-driven economy, which is dependent on high-value industries and its central location in Northern Europe.
Special cargo needs special care
The strong pharmaceutical industry plays a special role for the country. “Our airport naturally plays a key role in the export and import of goods for the life science industry,” highlighted manager Krogsgaard. Based on many years of experience, “we therefore understand the critical need for speed and reliability expected and demanded by our customers.” For this reason, Copenhagen Airport offers the market specialized handling facilities and dedicated cold chain solutions. They ensure that sensitive goods reach their destinations on time and in condition expected by shippers and consignees. Additionally, goods from across the Nordic region—such as Norwegian seafood and Swedish industrial products—are also shipped via Copenhagen Airport, supported by an extensive trucking network.
On the import side, the airport is seeing growing interest in e-commerce traffic, which is placing new demands on terminal capacity, handling solutions and customs clearance processes. “We are working closely with customs authorities and cargo operators to ensure that we meet evolving regulatory requirements and streamline procedures,” stressed the executive.
Upping sustainability efforts
Finally, in his keynote speech, he emphasized CPH’s ongoing sustainability commitment, to be a good neighbor to residents. Some of them repeatedly complain about aircraft noise and greenhouse gas emissions caused by planes taking off and landing. As a leading Nordic air cargo hub, Copenhagen Airport is committed to environmental improvements, stressed the executive, which goes hand-in-hand with the development of the airport, including the expansion of the cargo area. “Being closely situated to residential areas, we are working hard to minimize the negative aspects of noise caused by 24/7/365 operations and the emissions of ultra fine particles. This we do in close cooperation with our local communities, authorities and partners to find and implement the best solutions.”
