Danish authorities intend to acquire a significant portion of ownership in Copenhagen Airport.
The Danish government has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Copenhagen Airport, one of Denmark's largest workplaces, employing over 18,000 staff. The deal, which is expected to be finalized in October, is a result of a political agreement between the government and opposition parties SF, the Conservatives, and the Social Liberals.
Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen stated that the deal ensures responsible and long-term ownership for the airport in the future. The purchase price will be made public at the time of the offer, but Wammen estimated the overall price to be paid by the state for the shares to be around 32 billion kroner.
Currently, the majority stake in Copenhagen Airport is held by the pension fund ATP, which owns 59.4 percent of the shares in holding company Copenhagen Airports, which operates Copenhagen Airport and Roskilde Airport. The government's acquisition would raise the state's stake from 39.2 percent to 98.6 percent of shares.
The government's acquisition of Copenhagen Airport is likely to have several implications for the Danish economy and jobs.
Firstly, maintaining a majority stake in the airport would help the Danish government ensure continued investment and development in a critical transport hub, supporting GDP growth that is projected to remain stable but moderate over the coming years.
Secondly, government control could prioritize preserving and potentially expanding jobs linked to airport operations, logistics, retail, and airline partnerships. For example, expanded connectivity—such as the new nonstop flights from Vietnam Airlines starting December 2025—strengthens Copenhagen’s role as an international hub, potentially bolstering local employment.
Thirdly, owning a majority stake would allow the government to steer infrastructure projects, align airport operations with national goals on sustainability and economic development, and influence airline partnerships.
Lastly, with projects like the design transformation in Ørestad near the airport by BIG aiming for sustainability and urban life enhancement, government involvement could facilitate integrated development strategies aligning urban growth with airport expansion.
In summary, the Danish government’s plan to acquire majority ownership in Copenhagen Airport aims to secure control over a vital national asset, supporting economic stability, safeguarding jobs, and influencing infrastructural and strategic development crucial for Denmark’s connectivity and growth. After taking a majority shareholding, the Danish state plans to reduce its own stake in the airport to 50.1 percent through one or more sales.
- The Danish government's acquisition of Copenhagen Airport could bolster the economy by ensuring continued investment and development in a transport hub, supporting GDP growth over the coming years.
- The Government could potentially prioritize job creation by expanding airport operations, logistics, retail, and airline partnerships, such as the new nonstop flights from Vietnam Airlines starting December 2025.
- With integrated development strategies, government involvement in the airport could facilitate urban growth, aligning it with airport expansion projects like the design transformation in Ørestad near the airport by BIG.
