2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — A DKK 255 million investment in 5,100 sqm of additional space at Copenhagen Airport’s Pier C has provided facilities for sustaining the current growth in intercontinental traffic to and from Denmark. The Danish Government is pleased with the expansion.
When passengers from China, Russia, the United States and other non-EU member states arrive at Copenhagen Airport’s Pier C, they will now have more space and get better service – not least in security and passport control.
“The first impression of Denmark is very important. We have therefore added an additional 1,900 sqm with an extra track for security screening and more passport control booths in Pier C. This has increased capacity by almost 50% and will reduce waiting time,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Copenhagen Airports A/S.
Passengers must go through Pier C
All passengers to and from non-EU and non-Schengen countries must go through Pier C. In addition to the extra space for security screening and passport control, a number of new lounges, staircase towers and an additional arrivals floor of 2,200 square metres have been built. The price tag for the 5,100 sqm project is DKK 255 million.
With a growth rate of more than 10% in the number of intercontinental passengers in the first nine months of 2012, it had become necessary to expand Pier C in order to sustain growth and support the airport’s World Class Hub strategy.
This is a strategy that, according to the Danish Minister for Trade and Investment, Pia Olsen Dyhr, is consistent with the Danish Government’s ambitions of generating growth and jobs:
Minister: CPH important for growth
“Copenhagen Airport’s role as a northern European transport hub is important to growth and employment in Denmark,” said Pia Olsen Dyhr.
“An attractive airport with good connections is the gateway to growth. Both exports and incoming investment depend on customers and investors having good transport connections to Denmark. I therefore hope that the expansion of Pier C will lead to more airlines choosing to operate to and from Copenhagen,” the Minister said.
Ms. Olsen Dyhr also emphasised that Copenhagen Airport is one of the largest single workplaces in Denmark with more than 22,000 people working there at 500 businesses, and that “the expansion of Pier C and more routes will help sustain the many jobs.”
Ready for more expansion
Copenhagen Airport’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, emphasises that plans are already being made they have already being bade for additional expansion of Pier C:
“We have expanded Pier C in such a way that it will be relatively uncomplicated to add an additional 3-4 gates and aircraft stands when the need arises,” said Thomas Woldbye.
A number of airlines will soon expand their services at Pier C:
• Emirates will deploy larger aircraft (Boeing B777-300ERs) seating 428 passengers from February 2013.
• SAS will open a new service to San Francisco in March.
• Singapore Airlines will move from three to five weekly frequencies.
• Air Canada will use larger aircraft (Airbus A330s) on its service to Toronto in the summer of 2013.
• Royal Air Maroc will launch a service to Casablanca on 31 March.
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FACTS:
• Construction of the additional 5,500 sqm at Pier C took 14 months. The cost was DKK 255 million.
• 1,900 sqm of the addition will be used for passport control and security screening.
• 2,200 sqm represents an expansion of the second-floor arrivals area and staircase towers to gates C33, C36, and C37/C40
• 1,000 sqm is used for a panorama lounge on the third floor, including its own staircase tower, a new lounge at gate C27 and additional seating at gates C29 and C33
Copenhagen Airport, Much more space for intercontinental passengers