Aarhus transitions from 2017 European Capital of Culture into 2018 high growth period

“City of Smiles” Aarhus waves farewell to its year as European Capital of Culture in December as tourism and economic benefits continue to be counted and 2018 already promises further high profile for the fast-developing Danish city, host of the 2018 World Sailing Championships in August and a way-point on the coming summer’s famous Volvo Ocean Race.  To-date in 2017, Aarhus has recorded unprecedented growth in tourism with international visitors +20% and in some cases doubling visitor volumes from major markets.   

Even prior to its cultural capital status, Aarhus has been holding top spot among Scandinavia’s largest cities for tourism growth with +65% increase in visitors over five years and 50% additional hotel capacity amid a widening of tourism, conference and related infrastructure; the upward trend has seen new record peaks forming in 2017.  Thus far visitors from Germany have risen +90% and by +55% from Spain, +49% from Austria and by +28% from the UK.  Germany has overtaken Norway as the largest international market by volume and the UK has overtaken Sweden to become the third.  In November alone, Aarhus Airport recorded a +8% increase in total passengers and +18.3% growth in international travellers.  “The autumn period has seen continued acceleration in connecting passengers reaching us via hubs”, said David Surley – Head of Airline Relations at Aarhus, “while new service opened from Gdansk and passenger numbers on Norway and Sweden routes are incredibly strong.  These markets seem to be doing very well for Aarhus when compared to the traffic trend for Denmark as a whole”.

That’s not all; in December the Airport welcomed news that three major Nordic tour operators are adding Aarhus to their portfolios.  Market leaders Bravo Tours, SunTours and Apollo Rejser all have new Aarhus departures on sale for Summer 2018 with destinations in the Mediterranean.  Plus, SAS partner Luxair added Aarhus to its codeshare network and now offers LG-numbered Luxembourg connections at least twice-daily via Copenhagen.

“We have seen over 50% increase in indirect traffic between Aarhus and Luxembourg”, commented Surley, “it is one of numerous European markets that stand out this year as representing steadily developing high value demand, while we have also seen quite spectacular growth in demand for places like Istanbul, Athens, points in Germany, Austria, Italy and Asia, where codeshare reach is so important”.   

From the outset 2018 brings high capacity growth to Aarhus as market leader SAS opens a new international base serving 7 destinations.  From  March new A320 operated services bridge Aarhus with Malaga and Palma de Mallorca, with Split in Croatia from June, while daily services to Munich, Oslo and Stockholm all begin in April by dedicated 90-seat CRJ-900 regional jets.  Domestic shuttle frequency on Copenhagen increases to a standard 10 daily trips each way.  “All in all”, commented Surley, “weekly seat capacity increases by up to about 72% from the new IATA timetable and around 130% on international seat volume.  I think by anyone’s standard that’s quite a lot.  We are making some developmental changes to the Airport which means an exciting year ahead with improvement in facilities, lounges and amenities, but nothing at all disruptive.  High growth has been expected, the Airport has been in new ownership form for about a year and we are more than well equipped to welcome many new services, significantly more customers and deliver great convenience to all our airlines and travellers”.