Copenhagen Airport saw its busiest year since 2019, with 26.8 million travelers passing through its terminals in 2023.
This represents a 21% increase compared to 2022 numbers.
Holiday Travel Regains Momentum
The airport experienced a significant rebound in leisure travel, accounting for two-thirds of total passengers.
As Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer of Copenhagen Airports A/S, noted, “Throughout 2023, we experienced an ever-increasing appetite for travelling. This applied to both business and leisure travel, and we are very pleased to see a 21 per cent increase in the number of travellers compared to the previous year.”
The busiest travel days came right before the summer and autumn school breaks, with over 100,000 daily passengers.
Over half of all airport travelers reside in Denmark or Sweden.
The remainder comprises tourists visiting Copenhagen, increasingly from other European countries and North America.
Expanding Tourism Fuels Growth
Copenhagen’s popularity as a tourist destination continues rising.
As Krogsgaard explained, “Copenhagen is a very popular destination, and the number of tourists wanting to experience the Queen’s — soon to be the King's — fantastic city is increasing. We should be proud of that. Many want to experience cool Copenhagen and Danish ‘hygge’ — our famed version of easy living and a cosy relaxed atmosphere.”
Besides the city’s sights, its gourmet cuisine scene and Denmark’s emphasis on green, innovative policies also draw visitors.
Krogsgaard expects tourist numbers to further rise in 2024.
More Options for Travelers Out of Copenhagen
The airport saw 321 routes to 164 destinations operated by 60 airlines in 2023.
This marks the highest number of routes since 2018.
As Krogsgaard noted, “We are delighted that more airlines are choosing Copenhagen Airport, and that we are able to offer even more options for travelling to different destinations from Copenhagen. This helps to strengthen our position as the most important traffic hub in northern Europe.”
UK Top Destination, US Flights Rebound
The UK took the top spot for passenger volumes in 2023, with nearly 2.6 million travelers on routes there.
London remains the number one destination out of Copenhagen, accounting for over 1.8 million passengers across airports in the capital.
Long-haul traffic saw strong performance as well.
Ten percent of all passengers, or 2.9 million travelers, flew to destinations outside Europe.
US routes, in particular, have rebounded to 2019 levels, carrying over 1 million passengers.
Krogsgaard sees this trend continuing, noting “The routes to the USA are doing really well.”
More Visitors to Obtain ETIAS
With rising tourism numbers, more travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) starting in May 2025.
The ETIAS allows visa-free entry into the Schengen Area for short stays.
As Copenhagen sees expansion from markets like the US, the number of Americans requiring ETIAS will likely increase post-2025.
Potential Immigration Policy Shifts
Higher volumes of tourists and new residents could pressure Denmark’s government to evaluate immigration policies.
The influx of families, investors, digital nomads, and students could spur discussions around attracting talent and making immigration requirements more flexible.
However, the broader EU determines core policies like visas and ETIAS for the Schengen Area, limiting drastic unilateral policy moves by Denmark.
Travel Outlook Promising for Copenhagen Airport
As passenger volumes regain momentum, Copenhagen Airport looks well-positioned for future growth.
The year 2023 marked an inflection point with travel demand roaring back.
More options for travelers and rising tourism paint an optimistic picture for continued expansion.