Copenhagen may ground Aarhus seaplane service

Copenhagen politicians will consider whether to end the environmental approval for a seaplane service linking the city with Aarhus, potentially putting the route at risk, DR reports. The service connects the centres of Denmark’s two largest cities in about 45 minutes.

The Climate, Environment and Technology Committee of Copenhagen City Council is due to discuss the permit on Monday. The city administration has recommended against extending it, and a majority of committee members are ready to scrap it.

Karoline Lindgaard, political leader of the Alternative party in Copenhagen, said fossil-fuel aircraft did not belong in a city harbour, especially with an airport close to the city.

Nordic Seaplanes pilot and managing director Lasse Rungholm said the airline could lose permission to land in Copenhagen after the turn of the year if councillors follow the recommendation. “We have to see if we can find a solution. If not, we will most likely have to close,” he said.

The airline carried more than 13,000 passengers across Denmark last year. Rungholm said finding another place to land would be difficult: passengers want to arrive centrally, and the aircraft needs shelter from large ships and waves. The airline and Copenhagen Port looked into alternative locations earlier this year but found no viable option, he said.

A one-way ticket currently costs between 699 and 2,200 kroner. The seaplane lands in central Copenhagen, with views of the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg.