Danes flock to autumn holiday flights despite climate concerns

Despite concerns for the climate, many Danes are eagerly booking flights for the autumn holiday season. A record number of travelers are expected to fly in the coming days, with tour operator Spies set to send over 11,000 Danes on vacation—1,000 more than usual—and nearly all its charter flights sold out.

“We are hitting a record number of Danes traveling to sunny destinations this year,” said Spies’ communications chief, Sofie Folden Lund. Meanwhile, competitor TUI reports a 30 percent increase in sales for autumn trips, with charter flights nearing full capacity.

In Copenhagen Airport, officials anticipate an additional 100,000 passengers compared to last year, with October 11 expected to be the busiest travel day, accommodating around 108,000 travelers. Senior environmental sociologist Lars Kjerulf Petersen noted that while many Danes express concern about climate change, this does not significantly affect their holiday travel plans. “The majority of Danes have never really felt ‘flight shame’ and feel even less so now,” he stated.

Despite the increase in travelers, Copenhagen Airport reported that flights are being operated with larger aircraft to accommodate more passengers efficiently. Petersen remarked that the recent bad weather in July influenced booking behaviors, as many began reserving autumn and winter holidays seeking better weather.

Travelers’ desire for experiences over material goods is apparent, according to Jacob Pedersen, an aviation analyst at Sydbank. With recent wage increases, lower inflation, and relative stability in interest rates, Danes feel empowered to spend their savings on travel rather than electronics.