Copenhagen (CPH) Airport Guide
from www.anyairportcarhire.com
SUMMARY
Copenhagen Airport is the main international airport of Denmark and the largest airport in the Nordic countries. It is also one of the oldest international airports in Europe and has been known as Kastrup Airport in the past. That is to differentiate it from another airport in Copenhagen called Roskilde Airport. The airport is a hub for many airlines including Scandinavian Airlines, Cimber Sterling and Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia. They are among 60 different scheduled airlines which serve nearly 60,000 passengers per day. Many of the flights are to international destinations with only a small fraction of them being domestic.
HISTORY
Copenhagen airport started life in 1925 as one of the first private airports in the world. Between 1936 and 1939 a new terminal was built which is still considered a fantastic example of Nordic architecture. In 1946 flights began to increase at the airport after Scandinavian Airlines Systems was founded. Later the airline became the first to do a trans-polar route on the way to Los Angeles. This route meant that several Hollywood stars stopped in Copenhagen on their way from America to other parts of the world.
During the 1950s Copenhagen Airport was the third largest passenger airport in Europe and in 1956 it won an award for the world's best airport. It had 1 million annual passengers at that time. In 1960 Terminal 2 opened with a new control tower and passenger numbers doubled. Simultaneously Copenhagen airport was becoming important for freight with more than 10,000 tonnes handled per year. The cargo terminal did not open until 1982 however. In 1986 a huge parking garage was built and in 1991 the airport was partially privatised. Terminal 3 opened in 1998 as passengers topped 17 million.
DIRECTIONS
Copenhagen airport is in the municipalities of Tårnby and Dragør. It is located on the Amager Island, 24 kilometers to the west of Malmö in Sweden, on the other side of the Oresund Bridge. As it is situated eight kilometers to the south east of Copenhagen you can drive there along the E20 highway. Alternatively take the Øresund Bridge (toll) motorway at Dragør to the Kystvejen coastal road which circles the airport.
FACILITIES
There is a free transit bus which connects all three terminals and you can walk between terminals 1 and 2 via a corridor in Pier A.
The information desk and visitor centre (3231 2448) are both located in arrivals for Terminal 3, and an information desk is also located in Terminal 2.
Copenhagen airport has a five star Hilton hotel with 382 beds and the hotel offers a sophisticated business centre including a VIP boardroom. Meanwhile the transfer hotel has shower and sauna facilities which are an ideal way to relax and spruce up if you have a long journey.
SHOPPING
There is a large shopping arcade in departures section of Copenhagen airport. Like Denmark itself there are many high-class restaurants and shops which sell impressively designed items, particularly homeware from Illums Bolighus which is something of an institution in Denmark. You can get wonderful silver from Georg Jensen and collectable porcelain from Flora Danica. There is also a unique range of clothing. Soaked in Luxury and Tiger of Sweden have low-cost designer goods while Peak Performance has a range of sportswear. The airport employs more than 1500 staff.
DUTY FREE
Copenhagen airport has lots of duty-free shopping and you can pre-order and pick up goods on the website www.buy-fly.dk. The airport is an ideal place to purchase gifts and souvenirs because there are so many local Scandinavian brands to choose from. Perfume is a good choice to buy at the airport as they guarantee that their prices will be 20% lower than any high street competition.
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CAR HIRE
With all leading suppliers located at the airport you wiil be spoilt for choice with
Copenhagen Airport car hire.