• Copenhagen Airport is expanding cargo capacity and infrastructure, integrating digital tools and enhanced border inspection to support e-commerce growth and shifting commodity flows across Northern Europe.
• Its strategic Scandinavian location, multimodal connectivity, and new long-haul routes make CPH a key hub for pharmaceuticals, machinery, food, and e-commerce, balancing imports and exports efficiently.
• Sustainability and innovation are central, with initiatives like Sustainable Aviation Fuels, electrified ground operations, and a focus on temperature-controlled cargo driving cold chain development and long-term competitiveness.

At Copenhagen Airport (CPH), cargo isn’t just a side operation—it’s a strategic pillar shaping the airport’s future. As global supply chains recalibrate and e-commerce continues to surge, CPH is positioning itself as an agile logistics hub in Northern Europe.

CPH’s next five years will be defined by transformation. The airport is prioritising the integration of digital tools, improved border inspection facilities, and infrastructure designed to handle shifting cargo flows and rapid e-commerce growth. “CPH is focused on ensuring that our cargo facilities evolve in line with changing industry requirements,” Morten Tranberg Mortensen, Head of Airline Sales at CPH, said. “Key priorities include the integration of digital solutions, enhanced border inspection capabilities, adaptation to shifting commodity flows, and the accommodation of e-commerce growth.”

That evolution is already visible on the tarmac. CPH now features 19 dedicated cargo aircraft stands, following the addition of two new stands in recent years. Its real estate division is also working on approvals for “a large second-line development area to support future air cargo-related businesses and operational growth.” These expansions are designed to give forwarders and logistics companies the capacity they need to operate efficiently from the airport’s growing cargo campus.

Technology sits at the centre of the airport’s operational strategy. Tranberg Mortensen said CPH is in “active dialogue with terminal handlers and freight forwarders to advance digital cargo solutions,” with the aim of streamlining operations and enhancing transparency across all stakeholders. The airport wants to ensure that cargo handling keeps pace with demand while maintaining efficiency and reliability.

Strengthening northern Europe’s logistics network

Denmark’s economy is one of the strongest in the EU, and that economic vitality has a direct impact on CPH’s airfreight business. “Denmark’s strong economic performance, among the highest GDP growth rates in the EU, continues to drive both import and export activity,” said Tranberg Mortensen.

From its location in the heart of Scandinavia, CPH provides access to more than 10.7 million consumers across Denmark, southern Sweden, and northern Germany within a four-hour trucking radius. This makes it a natural hub for multimodal logistics, supported by a robust network of road feeders. The airport’s connectivity is further enhanced by new long-haul routes to destinations including the USA, China, Vietnam, India, and Korea.

“For airlines that are not able to use Russian airspace, CPH offers the shortest connection from the Nordic region to Asia,” Tranberg Mortensen added. This makes Copenhagen an attractive alternative to other Northern European hubs.

The airport handles a wide mix of commodities. “CPH supports a diverse range of export commodities, including pharmaceuticals and food products from Denmark, machinery and automotive components from Sweden, and fresh seafood from Norway,” Tranberg Mortensen said. “On the import side, particularly e-commerce shipments are increasing rapidly, creating a balanced flow of cargo in both directions.” That balance, he added, “supports efficient airline operations and route profitability.”

CPH’s reputation for competitive costs and efficient operations has made it a strong partner for airlines and freight forwarders.

“Achieving this requires close collaboration across the logistics value chain, ensuring sufficient capacity and alignment with shipper preferences,” Tranberg Mortensen noted. Regular engagement with partners allows the airport to anticipate needs and respond quickly to emerging trade trends.

Sustainability, innovation and the road ahead

Sustainability is a core focus for CPH’s long-term strategy. As part of the EU-funded ALIGHT project—A Lighthouse for the Introduction of Sustainable Aviation Solutions for the Future—the airport serves as a testbed for greener operations. “The project focuses on the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), development of smart energy systems, and electrification of ground operations, including Vehicle-to-Grid technologies,” said Tranberg Mortensen.

“These efforts support CPH’s long-term goal of achieving carbon-neutral airport operations.”

Regulatory modernisation is another key pillar of the airport’s cargo evolution. “Denmark’s regulatory framework for air cargo customs, security, and border efficiency has undergone significant modernisation,” he said. CPH is working closely with Danish Customs to implement the digital national customs declaration system. As a designated border inspection point, it coordinates with the Veterinary and Food Administration, the Agricultural Agency, and terminal handlers to ensure compliance while keeping freight flows smooth and efficient.

Post-Covid-19, the airport has seen e-commerce emerge as a defining force. “e-commerce has been growing fast post-Covid-19 and with new international trade barriers, we expect more e-commerce to be directed to Northern Europe,” Tranberg Mortensen said. While this surge brings opportunity, it also challenges infrastructure. “As most e-commerce are small parcels, it challenges the traditional set-up at cargo terminals as it require more space.”

Looking to the future, Tranberg Mortensen expects growth in temperature-controlled cargo, particularly from the life sciences sector. “We see a continuous increasing demand for temperature-controlled cargo from the Scandinavian ‘Medicon Valley’ areas,” he said. “This is driving innovation in cold chain logistics.”