The Danish Way

While airlines are struggling to minimize their loss, which according to IATA will continue in 2011, the biggest challenge for airports is to secure enough capacity in the years to come and at the same time to deliver cheap services to high safety standards.

Many airports are now on the same level as before the financial crisis, regarding number of passengers. Danish airports are again experiencing good growth rates. This year Copenhagen airport has had an increase in the number of passengers with an increase of 9%. Billund and Aalborg airports have both experienced a double-digit growth in 2010.

Airports have to continue investing in expansions and refurbishments. Many European airports have restarted their investmentprogrammes. We hope that in 2011 projects will continue to blossom, boosting the revenue losses that many suppliers have suffered in the last three years. The financial crisis has effected all aspects of trade yet Danish suppliers have focused well on costs and produced more efficiently.

In addition, and in line with the Danish traditions, suppliers have focussed on developing innovative products which can support the airports in obtaining additional capacity with minimum investment. These products are focused on solving basic problems within airport operations.

These developments have been undertaken and are in line with the Danish tradition for industrial design, this supports the airports in developing a more friendly environment for users and employees.

This means that a number of Danish suppliers produce cutting edge products to the airport supporting the airport in decreasing the costs, decreasing the environmental impact, increasing user satisfaction and solving basic bottlenecks.

The effect of the financial crises has also created a change in the market. New markets outside of Europe and the US are playing a more-and-more important role for suppliers. European suppliers not able to meet the requirements of these emerging markets will face problems. Through the investments in innovative products and cost cutting, the Danish suppliers are well prepared to meet the new requirements. Only through focusing on these areas can the industry survive.

However, this will take a lot of effort and attention from all aspects of the market. Companies have to invest in resources for research and development. The people have to educate and the government must create the right frames for a society where the most important ‘raw material’ is the brain. The government must also secure an extremely highlevel within the educational system and give financial support to innovation and development.

Another important issue for the government to consider is private-public partnerships. The work for example between a university and a privately owned company can produce some good outcomes.

It is not just an issue for individual companies but for society as a whole.

How can airports diversify? There are a lot of parameters to work on; excellent service, interesting shops, good design and interesting interiors, good food. Different airports focus on different key performance indicators. Denmark has a tradition for user-driven innovation, and for making complex systems easy for the user. This is reflected in products from all kind of industries. The Airport industry is no exception, where Denmark host companies that are among the world-leading within their field for example master-planning, baggage-handling, radar systems, interior, de-icing and many more.

When you come to Denmark to visit the Passenger Terminal Expo, your first impression of Denmark will be Copenhagen Airport. Hopefully you will see good and elegant Danish design with long lasting quality, light and bright architecture. There is an adage of the late Piet Hein, that describes our advantage; “Why are the Danish Craftsmen acclaimed with such worldwide cheers? Why are but few their equals and probably none their peers? What made the Danish modern? We have practiced for 3,000 years.”

The next Passenger Terminal Expo is being held in Copenhagen at the end of March 2011 we are already in the spring time, and if you are lucky that the weather is so good that you can sit outside at a Café and have a latte or maybe even a Danish beer, and enjoy the atmosphere in Copenhagen. Copenhagen is a combination of our history that goes thousands of years back and the modern world as it is today.

Passenger Terminal Expo is being held at the Bella Center on the 29, 30 and 31 of March. As usual at this show there will be a large Danish pavilion. This year it will be bigger than usuall, as we are in Copenhagen. We would be happy to give you a guided tour through the pavilion, ending with something typically Danish; a hot-dog and a beer. There will be a lot of activity in Copenhagen that Week; numerous receptions, site visits to Copenhagen Airport, company visits and much more so do get involved.

The Danish Wway – a few words about Danish Airport Group (DAG)

High quality, good design and state-of-the-art. Everyone knows these words, but understanding how to put them together in a product or task is not easy. Denmark has a long tradition of combining these characteristics when designing a new product or finding new solutions. Many Danish companies have also built strong competencies within the airport and aviation industry over the last few decades.

Danish Airport Group’s members cover a broad range of products and services for airports – from master planning to baggage handling – and this has given them an unrivalled overview of just how airports can meet new challenges.

The group is a sector network of the Danish Export Association, which has enabled DAG to take part in numerous export drives all over the world, making the organisation an excellent platform for locating new business partners and suppliers.

About the Authors

Halldor Halldorsson is the Business Sector Manager of the Danish Airport Group, a sector in The Danish Export Association The Danish Export Association is a private, non-profit association for the purpose of encouraging trade between Danish and foreign companies.

Michael Niels Thorsen is the Chairman of the Danish Airport Group & Director Integra A/S. Integra A/S is an independent Danish consultancy company within aviation and defence to customers throughout the world.