Since the 1960s, the tarmac and terminal of Sønderborg Airport have been available to operators providing regular flights to Copenhagen. In recent years, charter flights to various destinations in Europe have also been introduced. But after more than forty years of operation, the airport's buildings are now outdated, and therefore the owners have decided to rebuild and renovate for 212 million kroner.
Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation and Sønderborg Municipality are behind the largest investment in the history of Sønderborg Airport. The intention is to create a strong regional airport that is able to attract more operators and offer better facilities for travellers.
The project is also part of a larger plan to create a strong business setup around the airport and the route between Sønderborg and Copenhagen.
Chairman of the Board of Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation, Per Egebæk Have, explains the background for the large investment:
The region needs a reliable connection to and from Southern Jutland in order to get to Copenhagen and the rest of the world. The importance of this route will only increase over time. By investing in a new building and a modernization of the outside areas, the Foundation's board has started a project that contributes to the development of the infrastructure. We look forward to creating broad involvement of the business community around the airport so that the work can be future proofed in a strong set-up.
Per Egebæk Have, Chairman of the Board, Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation
Erik Lauritzen, Mayor of Sønderborg, adds:
In Sønderborg, we have a strong tradition of cross-collaboration, and this has been a fundamental premise for the development we have seen in the area over the past many years. The collaboration around the Airport is once again proof of this. The airport is a traffic hub of great importance to the entire region – especially for businesses, but also for private individuals. With a new terminal and improvements around the airport, we are securing its future for the benefit of all of Southern Jutland.
Erik Lauritzen, Mayor, Sønderborg Municipality
The airport is rebuilt in stages
The project is called “Masterplan for Sønderborg Airport” and has been a long time in the making. The original plans were to invest heavily in everything from a new runway to expanding the entire airport area.
With this agreement, it has been decided to divide the project into stages, starting with stages 1 and 2, which include a new terminal building in sustainable materials and a general modernization of the airport's existing areas.
The chairman of the board of Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation explains the background to the new project:
When we created the early visions, there was economic growth in Denmark. But after the pandemic, war and energy crisis, the world looks different, so we have chosen to take one step at a time and adapt to the new reality. Still, this is a significant investment in a Danish domestic airport, which we believe will be crucial for Sønderborg and Southern Jutland in the future.
Per Egebæk Have, Chairman of the Board, Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation
The project amounts to a total of 212 million kroner. Of this amount, Sønderborg Municipality and Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation each contribute 46 million kroner to the expansion of the airport. The rest of the funds will come from the Foundation and will be used to build a new terminal building, which will be leased to the airport.
Erik Lauritzen explains that the Municipality's grant was allocated back in 2019:
The municipal council supports the modernization of Sønderborg Airport, and the Municipality's contribution of 46 million kroner is the remainder of a previous political allocation, where the funds have been allocated for a number of years to develop the airport. The modernization of the airport and better facilities are essential for the entire Sønderborg area, not least to ensure a qualified workforce and attract newcomers.
Erik Lauritzen, Mayor, Sønderborg Municipality
The project will start in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
