Copenhagen Airports A/S has reported a strong rise in first-quarter profits after record passenger growth and a sharp increase in transfer traffic through Denmark’s largest airport hub.

The operator said pre-tax profits reached DKK 196 million (£22 million) during the first three months of 2026, up from DKK 104 million during the same period last year.

Passenger numbers at Copenhagen Airport climbed to seven million in the first quarter, representing a 14% increase year-on-year and marking the busiest start to a year in the airport’s history.

Chief executive Christian Poulsen said the growth reflected strong demand for international travel and expanded airline operations during the winter season.

“The first three-month period is part of the airlines’ winter programme, during which several airlines launched brand new routes and increased the number of departures on many existing routes,” he said.

“This makes for even better connectivity to and from Copenhagen, which benefits society at large.”

Revenue boosted by travel demand

The increase in passenger traffic helped drive first-quarter revenue to DKK 1.2 billion, up 12% compared with the same period in 2025.

Aeronautical revenue generated from airline operations and air traffic services rose 14% to DKK 718 million.

Non-aeronautical income, including retail, parking and property leasing, increased by 9% to DKK 482 million.

However, the airport said retail growth had been partly limited by temporary shop and restaurant closures linked to the major expansion of Terminal 3, which is due to be completed next year.

The redevelopment project forms part of Copenhagen Airport’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as Northern Europe’s leading international aviation hub.

Transfer passenger numbers surge

A major driver behind the growth was a sharp rise in transfer passengers travelling through Copenhagen to destinations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

Transfer traffic rose by 50% year-on-year to almost two million passengers in the first quarter, meaning more than one in four travellers at the airport were connecting onto onward flights.

Poulsen said the increase reflected the continued consolidation of operations by Scandinavian Airlines at Copenhagen Airport.

“We are really seeing the effects of SAS consolidating its operations at Copenhagen Airport, and today 28% of our passengers use Copenhagen to transfer to their final destination,” he said.

The airport said most transfer passengers originate from Denmark, Sweden and Norway, although increasing numbers of travellers from North America and Asia are also using Copenhagen as a gateway into Europe.

Airport officials said transfer traffic plays a crucial role in supporting long-haul connectivity, tourism and wider economic activity across Denmark.

Middle East tensions affect routes

Despite the strong overall performance, Copenhagen Airport said the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continued to impact routes to the region.

Passenger traffic between Copenhagen and Middle Eastern destinations fell by 25% during the first quarter, equivalent to a decline of around 63,000 travellers.

At the height of the disruption, most flights between Denmark and several destinations in the region were temporarily suspended.

Poulsen said many services have now resumed, but warned that geopolitical instability and higher fuel costs remain significant concerns for the aviation industry.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East with regard to the fuel situation and rising prices,” he said.

Outlook remains positive despite uncertainty

Looking ahead, Copenhagen Airports said it expects passenger growth to continue throughout 2026 despite global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

The airport forecasts passenger numbers will reach around 35.5 million this year, alongside a 7% increase in annual revenue.

If that target is achieved, the company expects full-year pre-tax profits to be between DKK 1.75 billion and DKK 1.9 billion.

However, the operator cautioned that its outlook remains vulnerable to geopolitical developments, fuel price volatility and wider macroeconomic pressures that could affect international travel demand.