Aalborg Airport (AAL/EKYT)

New route possibilities

 
Stockholm

Aalborg: An attractive tourist destination, university city, important shipping port, and home to Scandinavia's largest carnival (2011 attendance >100,000).
AAL-ARN is a very important business route with an equally great potential for leisure traffic - inbound and outbound. Skagen and North Jutland are the single most visited tourist destinations in Denmark by people in the Stockholm area ahead of Copenhagen. A new service would accommodate this traffic. According to recent figures from Sabra Airport Consulting, there is an annual passenger base (O&D market):
  • 19,200 passengers travel out of Aalborg Airport to Stockholm (ARN). A high number of Swedish travellers would be expected in the opposite direction.
  • Operating for 50 weeks, Monday to Friday and with two dailies translates into an existing business of 77 passengers a day – (almost) all of which are business travellers.
  • To these figures should be added incremental growth and leisure traffic. The business opportunities are obvious and clearly profitable.
Berlin
An important business centre and a major tourist destination – inbound and outbound. Germans present the second-largest base of tourists in North Jutland (Denmark's second-most important tourist destination after Copenhagen). The long distance between Aalborg and Berlin is ill-suited for any other travel than air travel. Alternative routes (coaches) between West Denmark and Berlin are expensive and time consuming.
  • One-way bus fare is priced at €89.
  • Heavy interest from local tour operators.
  • 17,400 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Berlin.
  • To these figures should be added leisure traffic potential.
Rome
A highly popular tourist destination. In fact, it is so popular we have a concrete request from a tour operator interested in a summer connection to Rome.
  • High interest from tour operators.
  • 16,800 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Rome.
  • To these figures should be added incremental growth and leisure traffic.
Frankfurt
One of Europe's most important hubs.
  • Estimated 22,300 indirect passengers annually.
  • A possible source of growth for most overseas connections out of Frankfurt.
Helsinki
Another important business route – a large amount of business exchange between the two regions.
  • Annual passenger base of 15,800 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Helsinki (HEL).
  • To these figures should be added incremental growth.
  • Helsinki as a hub – we see a demand for many Far East connections out of Helsinki.
Both our region and the region of Helsinki are very well-known for telecommunications – Nokia has a large department in Aalborg. Aalborg University is world-renowned for its research and its line of engineering education especially dedicated to the telecommunication industry.
Paris
An ever-popular tourist destination with some potential for business travel. Norwegian served Paris Orly from Aalborg with three weekly departures until 2009. It was a successful route which was abandoned due to Norwegian's lack of aircraft elsewhere. The route is proven to be profitable.
  • 19,800 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Paris.
Stavanger
Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway, shows a high potential for business and leisure traffic. Traditionally Norwegians are very interested in North Jutland's sandy beaches. The current passenger flow is dominated by business and VFR passengers - meaning that leisure traffic is yet to be stimulated.
  • The region has many subcontractors to the oil industry, e.g. Aalborg Industries.
  • An annual passenger base (O&D market) of 13,600 passengers out of Aalborg Airport to Stavanger (SVG).
  • The heavy leisure possibilities to be added.
More than 1.5 million Danes visited Norway annually. A huge number of North Danish companies have set up subsidiaries in Norway.
Gdansk
Poland and especially the area around Gdansk shows remarkable route potential. Business activities between West Denmark and Poland are growing rapidly. A large number of West Danish companies have subsidiaries in the region around Gdansk.
  • Currently 9,000 Poles live in the catchment area with a large base of migrant workers.
  • Alternative transportation is expensive and time consuming. The one-way bus fare is €150 and the service runs once every day.
  • Annual passenger base circa 12,400 (O&D).
  • Leisure traffic to be added to figures.
More than 1.5 million Danes visited Norway annually. A huge number of North Danish companies have set up subsidiaries in Norway.
Budapest
This European capital is a very attractive tourist destination. It is increasingly popular and one of the up-coming hip City break destinations.
  • More than 100,000 Danish people visit Hungary annually.
  • Local tour operators are very interested in this route.
  • 13,400 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Budapest.
  • Leisure traffic to be added to figures.
Prague
A highly popular tourist destination.
  • Local tour operators have contacted Aalborg Airport in search of a new direct route.
  • 15,200 passengers (O&D) out of Aalborg Airport to Prague.
Riga Tallinn Vilnius
A highly popular tourist destination.
  • Riga's route network to the former Soviet republics and Russia, the Far East and Eastern Europe is very attractive for business travellers.
  • 35% of Aalborg University's international students are from the Baltic region.
  • In/outbound tourism is increasing.
  • Annual passenger base circa 16,000 (O&D) for each destination on basis of one active route.
  • To these figures should be added incremental growth and leisure traffic.

Festival city: Restaurants and nightlife along the popular Jomfru Ane Gardeet. Aalborg was will also be host of the 2012 Danish Song Contest.

Major reasons to serve this airport

  • Aalborg is a prosperous region with a high GDP and a thriving commercial sector.
  • Complete refurbishment and large-scale airport expansion carried out between 2011 and 2013.
  • We offer free parking to the benefit of your customers.
  • We have experienced the second largest growth among all major Nordic airports two years in a row.
  • Aalborg is Denmark's second most visited tourist destination right behind Copenhagen.
  • Excellent weather conditions minimise delays.
  • De-icings are done directly on flight stand to minimise delays.

Marketing and other support

In 2011, new routes included KLM's service to Amsterdam and Comefly's connection to Fort Myers, Florida. Profitable available routes include Paris which was served by Norwegian with three weekly departures until 2009, and only abandoned due to Norwegian's lack of aircraft.

  • Our determined goal is to establish a long, successful partnership with the airlines. We aim for the long-term profitability of the route. The level of our participation in ensuring a route's success is always up for discussion.
  • Flight event (B2C and B2B): Every new route is accompanied by a gate event for passengers. This includes festive activities at the gate for departing and arriving passengers on their first flight. VIP event for airline representatives.
  • Exclusivity and frequent flyers: We offer special VIP treatment for your frequent-flyer passengers – your travellers can be offered a free VIP parking space, just outside the terminal. Furthermore, in the second phase of expanding Aalborg Airport (2012) our exclusive lounge area will be on offer.
  • Brand exposure at Aalborg Airport: In collaboration with Aalborg Airport, the new destination will be advertised on TV, outdoors at attractive locations, together with online and offline media – brand exposure to create public awareness.
  • Co-advertising: Marketing support to create public awareness, co-branded or individually branded. Possibility of cross-marketing and/or co-promotion.
  • Campaign strategy at start-up: Airline-branded marketing support to create public awareness focused on introducing the airline into the new market.
  • PR activities: Press releases will be written continuously and distributed to relevant media. We have a near 100% success rate on our PR initiatives. Possibility of press conferences targeted at the Danish media.
  • Support to new destinations: Incentive programmes can be confidentially discussed.

Airport Catchment area

Located 7km from the city, Denmark's third-largest airport offers a 2.5 million catchment characterised by high disposable income and significant tourist and industrial activity.

The airport is ideally situated near the motorway E45 and only 7km from Jutland's second largest city, Aalborg. Although all airports in Jutland have a potential uptake from the entire region of Jutland, Aalborg airports offers some unique features:

  • Free car parking (only at Aalborg Airport)
  • Ideal location close to the E45 motorway and national train lines
  • Jutland's two largest cities Aalborg and Aarhus are a 5min and an 1h drive away respectively

Aalborg Airport offers the unique competitive advantage of attracting passengers from much further away than its other competing airports would.

Under-served freight opportunities and other economic impact factors

Already a primary goods junction, Aalborg has huge potential for developing airfreight, especially to and from Greenland. The area also hosts the global headquarters of Aalborg Industries, as well as the popularAalborg Akvavit distillery.

The new airport is seen as a major boost to the province's economy – essentially because of the $1bn+ tourism and real estate business, although there is also a significant agricultural hinterland growing produce year-round for Northern European supermarkets.

Geography

Significant investment is underway which will see an extension from 6 to 12 gates by 2013.

Aalborg Airport is situated 7km outside Aalborg City Centre. It is the only major Danish airport offering free parking, a major unique selling point in attracting passengers for international flights.

Aalborg Airport is at the heart of the European motorway E45. In addition to free parking the airport terminal is served by an extensive network of buses and taxis. The major national train line is only one bus stop away ensuring easy access via trains from north and south. Aalborg Airport is the primary gateway to the lovely Northern part of Denmark with Skagen and the north-western beaches and coastline. This part of Denmark sees the second largest annual amount of tourists after Copenhagen and is a major industrial area. The typical family in North and Central Jutland has a very high disposable income for general spending compared with other regions.

Infrastructure & Operations:

  • Runways: two 2,650m
  • Navigation: LLZ, GP, DME VOR/DME, TACAN, ILS CAT II
  • Fire & Rescue: RFF/CFR cat 7
  • 7 aircraft stands (10 by the end of 2011)
  • 14 check-in desks – check-in mainly automated.
  • Each baggage-tag carries RFID tracking of baggage, minimising lost luggage issues.
  • Aalborg Airport is a designated schedule facilitated airport. This is performed by ACL.
  • Operating hours: 24
  • Terminals: 1 combined international and domestic terminal. Planned major expansion and refurbishment – finishing in 2013.
  • Minimum connection time: 45min

Important infrastructure developments and/or other news

  • Addition of 6,400m2 to terminal area
  • Refurbishing 12,000m2
  • Extension from 6 to 12 gates
  • Extension from 7 to 10 apron stands
  • 1,000 new parking spaces
  • Extra security flow
  • Additional check-in machines
  • Larger tax-free, shopping area and food and beverage
  • Top of the line lounge facilities

Vital statistics

  • 1.35 million passengers in 2010 (+19.5% from 2009); 2011 forecast: 1.5 million
  • Aalborg Airport has experienced growing passenger numbers for 8 consecutive years.
  • Airlines: Norwegian, SAS, KLM, Cimber Sterling (Skyways), Iceland Express, Atlantic Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines, Monarch.
  • Charter: Spies, Star Tour, Apollo, Bravo Tours, Sun Tours, Scanway, Falk Lauritsen, Nazar Travel, Århus Charter, Best Travel.
  • Largest carrier: SAS

KEY FACTS

Route Development Contact
Soren Svendsen, CEO
Tel: +45 20586465
Mobile: +45 20586465
Fax: +45 98173684
Address
Ny Lufthavnsvej 100
DK-9400 Nørresundby
Denmark
Contact
Website
Aalborg Airport