SAS announces major expansion at Aarhus
Scandinavia's 5th largest city welcomed SAS news of upcoming growth and new services in response to continued economic success
SAS has announced intention to open a new network from Aarhus Airport in a strategic move to rapidly enhance Nordic and international connectivity for Scandinavia’s fifth largest metropolitan area and fastest growing visitor economy. Aarhus has seen an unrivalled 65% increase in visitors in just five years and is 2017’s European Capital of Culture.
Aarhus Airport welcomed the news of SAS expansion and upcoming establishment of new links to European and Scandinavian cities aimed at both business and leisure travellers. Similarly, corporate and domestic travellers can look forward to a much higher frequency between Aarhus and Copenhagen, while Danish travellers will be able to access a number of new leisure travel destinations. Overall, the initiative by SAS is expected to increase current traffic at Aarhus Airport by over 50 percent.
SAS Executive Vice President, Lars Sandahl Sørensen, indicated there are several reasons why the airline has chosen to strategically invest in Aarhus and its high growth economy:
"We have acted on consumer wishes as well as Aarhus and East Jutland’s vision, to expand and invest independently. We consider it our responsibility to strengthen the logistical link between East and West Denmark and make the world beyond more available from Aarhus and mainland Denmark. Also, Aarhus has become increasingly attractive for many large foreign companies as well as tourism and its thriving visitor economy, in which SAS believes the city has great potential"
The announcement by SAS was embraced by Mayor of Aarhus, Jacob Bundsgaard, who believes that the new cooperation is essential for the city's future:
"The City's companies need a better and better infrastructure both nationally and internationally, so this is not only good news for Aarhus Airport but for the entire city of Aarhus. It is such a positive and strategic development from SAS, this new cooperation demonstrates huge forward steps. There is a great future ahead"
Aarhus Airport's Peter Høgsberg – Airport Director and CEO welcomed the SAS news, "the population around Aarhus demand fast and frequent service to Copenhagen and across Scandinavia, where SAS is an extremely strong player. We are very excited to welcome an expansion of current airport traffic expected to pass 50 percent and a strategic SAS expansion is of great importance to underpin the sustained economic growth of Denmark’s fast-expanding and exciting second city and the Greater Aarhus region"
SAS has indicated that it’s new Aarhus services will be announced in October