2000+

The number of operations per year at Roskilde Airport has only rounded the 100,000 figure once. That was in 1997, when there were a total of 102,948 operations. In 2002, there were 98,416 operations, which was largely unchanged from 2001, when the figure was 98,039.

On the other hand, the number of passengers was record high in 2002. The 49,278 passengers represent a 38.4% increase over the 2001 total of 35,618. Before then, the number of passengers at Roskilde Airport had not exceeded its 1994 record of 45,000.

The number of operations may sometimes be twice as high as the number of passengers due to the fact that Roskilde Airport is primarily used for taxi and training flights. The airport is mainly used for small aircraft in the 1,000-2,000 kg weight class.

However, Roskilde is dreaming of regular visits by larger passenger aircraft as well. The expansion of the airport necessary to allow this – as a foundation stone for a future as an airport for low cost carriers – is thus high on its wish list.

A number of low cost carriers have expressed an interest in using Roskilde Airport, but the airport is unable to meet the requirement of these carriers at the moment. One of the reasons is that its runways are not wide and long enough.

The first step is a so-called EIA, i.e. an assessment of the environmental impact of a potential expansion of the airport. In the spring of 2003, Copenhagen Airports A/S decided to start the process of performing such an assessment.

Niels Boserup, CEO of Copenhagen Airports A/S, stated in that connection: “The fact that we’re having the EIA carried out does not mean that we will be expanding the airport. This is a preliminary assessment we’re having made to see whether expanding the airport is a good idea and whether it can be done in an environmentally appropriate manner.”

In its capacity of planning authority, HUR, the Greater Copenhagen Authority, will be carrying out the assessment for the airport. It is a long, phased process, and HUR will not be able to present the final results until late 2006. Only then can the proposed expansion of Roskilde Airport – and its potential future as an airport for low cost carriers – be finally evaluated.