Copenhagen Airport sets new passenger record despite rising ticket prices

Copenhagen Airport recorded its busiest May ever last month, handling 3.1 million passengers—a 7% increase from the same period last year—despite soaring fuel costs and higher airfares, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The surge in travel comes amid global tensions, including the conflict between the US and Iran, which has driven up aviation fuel prices. Yet Peter Krogsgaard, commercial director at Copenhagen Airport, told DR that rising fuel costs have not significantly impacted passenger numbers.

“We are naturally monitoring the situation closely,” Krogsgaard said in a written statement, adding that the airport expects a record summer with over 10 million travellers.

The growth is not limited to Copenhagen. Airports in Billund, Aarhus, and Aalborg also reported increased passenger traffic compared to May 2025.

Mathias Milling, head of secretariat at Dansk Luftfart (Danish Air Transport), attributed the rise in ticket prices directly to higher fuel costs but noted that the full impact of price hikes may not yet be visible. Many travellers likely booked tickets before fuel prices peaked, he told DR.

John Thøgersen, a professor of economic psychology at Aarhus University, suggested that Danes remain willing to pay higher fares due to strong economic conditions. “The average Dane has money to spend on travel,” he said, adding that climate concerns take a backseat to the desire for experiences.

Copenhagen Airport, which set a record of 32.4 million passengers in 2025, now projects up to 35.5 million travellers this year.