Is this the future of airports?
10. november 2010 22:53 | Airportsby Joe G.
Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, has opened a new terminal which is marketed at low cost airlines. Airport authorities expect one million passengers to travel through the new terminal the first year – but there is already some doubt about the 37 million dollar investment.
The new terminal, CPH Go, is a new concept in the airport industry. Kastrup authorities claim that the new terminal is to increase airline efficiency with quicker turnaround time, more efficient passenger and baggage handling, and there is no passenger transfer capability.
Airlines that want to utilize the new terminal have to meet some conditions though. These conditions are that airlines must have no more than 30 minute turnaround time, at least 90 percent of passengers must check-in online, through mobile or in self-service kiosks. Passenger charges at the new terminal will be 30 percent cheaper than the existing terminals at the airport. This will benefit passengers in terms of cheaper fares.
Low cost passengers’ traffic is increasing at Kastrup and the airport authorities are responding to that increase with the new terminal. Although, another reason for the new terminal is that Kastrup has been losing traffic, especially low cost traffic, to airport such as Malmö Airport just on the other side of the Oresund Bridge. For example, RyanAir decided to fly to Billund and Aarhus rather than choosing Kastrup because of Kastrup´s high landing fees.
In July this year, over 400,000 low cost passengers travelled through Kastrup which counts for 18.5% of the total traffic.
The concept of the CPH Go has received quite a lot of media attention as it is new in the airport industry, and might give us a glimpse into the future of airport. Many airlines have began charging for extra baggage, food and beverages, rugs and pillows, seat selection, etc…, so why should we be surprised to see airports starting the same thing. You might have to pay for food, drinks and internet connection at the moment but it´s just a matter of time when we will see fewer and fewer check in desks, fewer seats and fewer restaurants/bars, and all around simpler terminals to provide for more efficiency.
Even though the new terminal at Kastrup has received much attention, it´s mostly empty as only one airline, Easy Jet, has begun operating from the terminal. Ryan Air rejected the new terminal as they say that it´s still too expensive, but Ryan Air is famous for using this strategy to lower price so we might eventually see them operating from the CPH Go. Airport authorities have announced that other airlines are looking into using the new terminal such as Norwegian, Cimber Sterling and Wizz Air.
All photos are used with permission from authors.
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