The new plan introduced new incentives and pricing for airlines to resume operations with immediate effect
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and associated airlines have formed an agreement which sets out the framework for the restart of air traffic.
This partnership is also set to resume the route network from CPH, whilst setting out prices and incentives for flying to and from the Danish airport.
Back in 2018, both the airport and airlines concluded a four-year charges agreement which enabled the usage of the airport infrastructure. However, the COVID-19 health crisis changed everything, as the airport was unable to predict what it would mean for the facility’s operations.
Due to the pandemic, CPH decided to alter the charges agreement that takes into account the new reality of aviation. It also incorporates a stable commercial framework that focusses on restarting operations of incoming and outgoing air traffic.
The new plan hopes to provide the airlines with the necessary incentives to resume operations sooner and provide an improved financial platform in the long term.
“Being a responsible company, we've carefully reviewed all our operations and plans in light of the past year's market collapse with supply in abundance but no demand,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO of CPH. “The revenue we derive from our core business - aircraft carrying passengers - is the key component of our financial performance, so it was very important for us to reach an agreement with our customers that'll enable us to build on a new foundation post-corona. It's necessary both for the airlines and for us to have a foundation providing a stable framework.”
With the charges agreement now approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority, the plan is able to take effect immediately and will expire on December 31, 2023.
Incorporated into the agreement are the charges for using the airport runways, terminals and other services. These charges have been kept stable and online with historical rates, considering the needs of both the network carriers and airlines using the terminal.
The agreement combines adjustments with the pre-existing incentives programmes and implements a new programme for a small number of intercontinental routes. This move hopes to ensure CPH will retain its competitive position as one of the cheapest airports in Europe.
