Kuehne+Nagel opens Nordic cargo center in CPH

Copenhagen Airport is well on its way to consolidating its position as the cargo hub of North Europe. Air cargo volumes at the airport have grown by more than 20% since 2010 to reach 370,000 tonnes in 2015.

“Although air cargo accounts for only one percent of total cargo volumes in Denmark, it represents 32% of the total value of the country’s foreign trade,” explained Chief Commercial Officer Peter Krogsgaard of Copenhagen Airports A/S.

Now, the world’s second-largest air cargo shipping company, Kuehne + Nagel, has also touched down at Copenhagen Airport. On 1 February, 30 of the company’s employees opened its new 2,400 sqm facilities in the airport’s cargo area.

CPH a perfect platform
“We have 30 people moving in at our new Copenhagen Airport location in February, and we definitely expect to hire additional people both this year and next. Locating our new air cargo logistics centre at Copenhagen Airport gives us the perfect platform from which to continue developing our business,” said Jens Davidsen, head of Kuehne + Nagel’s Danish air cargo operations.

“Our new location gives us a lot of benefits, like direct airside access to the aircraft. We can also offer the fastest response time for emergency shipments, X-ray screening in our own terminal and pick-up and delivery directly at aircraft,” emphasised Mr Davidsen.

The number of shipments has grown by 20% in recent years, and, according to Mr Davidsen, there’s more to come:

“We project at least that same growth rate over the next few years, but it could also be much higher if we can attract air cargo to Copenhagen that’s currently going to the other Nordic countries.”

A nighttime success
Air cargo is not one of the most immediately visible activities at Copenhagen Airport, as most cargo operations take place during the night. Still, growth rates are high, as are expectations. It is especially the more expensive, time sensitive and perishable goods that are carried by air: everything from pharmaceuticals, humanitarian aid and advanced machinery to fresh fish and dairy goods.

“Air cargo is increasingly being shipped in passenger planes as so-called ‘belly cargo’. That category accounted for almost 40% of our total cargo volume,” explained Mr Krogsgaard.

“This is a very important part of the business, especially for the long-haul intercontinental airline routes. On some passenger routes, air cargo represents up to 20% of revenue. This is one of the many reasons why air cargo is a key part of our strategy to create growth and jobs all over Denmark,” said Mr Krogsgaard.

In terms of pure cargo aircraft, Singapore Airlines Cargo, China Cargo Airlines, Emirates Sky Cargo, DHL and FedEx all use Copenhagen Airport today. 

In addition to Kuehne + Nagel, Copenhagen Airport also hosts air cargo companies such as Worldwide Flight Services, Fedex, DHL Aviation, the International Mail Processing Centre, Spirit Air Cargo Handling, Airland Logistics, CTS Express, Martin Bencher and Jetpak.

Facts about Kuehne + Nagel

• One of the world’s largest transport and logistics companies, with 66,000 employees at 1,000 offices in over 100 countries.
• The world’s second-largest air cargo operator. In Denmark, Kuehne + Nagel (KN) partners with SAS, Lufthansa, KLM-Airfrance, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Cargolux, among others.
• 215 employees in Denmark and revenue of about DKK two billion annually.
• KN has offices and facilities at Copenhagen Airport and in Brøndby, Aarhus, Odense, Esbjerg and Fredericia.