Copenhagen Airport in Denmark has unveiled the latest expansion plans to be added to the airport’s ongoing improvement works, including the construction of a new pier and expansion of the post-security passenger area.
The airport will invest approximately DKK850m (US$122m) to build the first phase of a brand-new pier, incorporating more aircraft stands and serving new routes. A further and DKK390m (US$56m) will be invested to double the size of the busy passenger area located immediately after the central security checkpoint.
The first phase of the Pier E project will add approximately 240,00ft2 to the airport with seven gates, including a widebody gate for large aircraft, and 800 seats. Completion is scheduled for 2019.
Alongside the new pier, the post-security expansion project will redevelop the area between piers A and B, adding 43,000ft² to create a better passenger flow, as well as creating space for dwelling, food and beverage outlets and retail outlets.
Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Copenhagen Airport, said, “We’re making the corridors wider so there’s more space for passengers making their way to their flights. We’ll also be adding a new play area, additional seats and more power sockets for recharging devices. Seven out of 10 passengers say that good options for shopping and eating are essential for a good travel experience – and we’re listening to them, which means we’re also building 28 new shops and food and beverage outlets. We’re already well into the process of identifying the right selection so that there’s something for every taste and budget.
“The construction of a brand-new Pier E is one of the biggest construction projects of recent times. When the pier is complete, it will be able to accommodate 10 gates for large aircraft and 20 for smaller aircraft on the European routes – a huge project costing around Dkr3bn (US$430m).
“We’ve started work on the first phase of the project, which alone will cost Dkr850m (US$122m),” added Woldbye.
The two new projects will mean even more cranes at the airport in the next three years, as more than 1,000 construction workers and technicians set about increasing capacity for aircraft and passengers.
“We’ll put up effective construction screens to shield our passengers and staff from noise and other nuisance. We’ll also establish overhead windows and try to confine the noisiest work to nighttime. Around December this year, the construction activity will move into the current area,” concluded Woldbye.
Written by Dan Symonds