Located just 8 km south of the city centre, the airport is the largest in Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, having handled 32.4 million passengers in 2025, marking the busiest year in its history. The many travellers have excellent opportunities to reach destinations worldwide from Copenhagen Airport, and with a record number of 367 routes, the world also has easier access to Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark.
“Many years ago, we realised that arrival demand was reaching capacity,” explains Jens Parbo, head of Copenhagen Airport’s baggage department. “And to have a good level of service for our passengers, and in order for the ground handlers to be able to fulfil their targets, we needed more capacity. It is our goal to maintain our position as Northern Europe’s biggest traffic hub, and of course also a hub where we delight our passengers – so doubling the arrival capacity means a lot.”
Twenty PAX automated screening lanes are being installed as part of a major revamp of the airport’s passenger checkpoint process. The work stems from the signing of a strategic partnership in 2018 for the design and development of new passenger security facilities.
“We needed to adapt to future security regulations, and to accomplish this we had to upgrade our checkpoint with the newest technology,” says Brian Cilinder-Hansen, Security Process Manager at Copenhagen Airport. “We could see from the beginning of the project that our goal was not achievable through an off-the-shelf-solution.”
The goal is to create the “Checkpoint of the Future” that delivers high-capacity performance on the same footprint, as passenger numbers grow. The PAX Checkpoint solution – which includes Vanderlande’s PAX Advanced automated security lanes as well as PAX Multiplex remote screening software – is ideal, because its modular design allows the airport to choose the best layout for each lane.
“We chose PAX Multiplex as our remote screening software, mainly because of the security quality,” adds Brian. “We wanted to put our screeners in a separate room – away from all the noise at the checkpoint – so they can focus on the image. Therefore, we have built a room upstairs with 30 Primary Viewing Stations (PVS), where they can carry out their tasks in quiet surroundings.”
Installation is being carried out in three phases to minimise disruption and ensure that passenger services keep running smoothly. Phase one – for the installation of five security lanes – finished in late April 2025, while construction work for phase two and a further six lanes was completed in September 2025. Phase three – for the final nine lanes – is scheduled for spring 2026.
The first 11 lanes are performing very well, The results are promising, as the airport aims for a top-level passenger experience with a flowing security operation through which passengers, trays and bags never stop.
“We have developed an efficient lane, which is effective in terms of security quality, the number of agents that we use per lane, and the throughput – we see some very good results here in Copenhagen,” says Brian. “And passengers are happy they can leave their electronic devices in their hand luggage.”
To upgrade the baggage services in Terminal 3, modifications are being carried out to the existing system. Meanwhile, the expanded terminal – including a new arrivals hall – is scheduled to go live by early 2027, complete with new BHS equipment. This system will be run using VIBES software that provides complete control of the baggage operation from check-in through to loading.
“We will open the new facility a year-and-a-half from now and most of the staff have been out there and seen it,” adds Jens. “They are very happy with the area and all that space, so it’s much more easy to maintain. The onsite team is doing a fantastic job in order to handle all those bumps on the way, find spare parts from other parts of the baggage handling system, and do everything they can to flip around on the project plan in order to reach their deadlines in time.”
According to Brian, the airport’s passengers and stakeholders are already benefiting from the ongoing changes. “The passenger process is much easier and faster with the new technology,” he says. “We focus on providing good service, so staying close to our passengers – like you can do on these lanes – is very important for them. We are definitely on the road to the checkpoint of the future.”
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