Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH)
EU AirportCPH / EKCH · DK · Copenhagen
Copenhagen Airport (CPH): Passenger Guide & Your Rights
Copenhagen Airport, also known as Kastrup, is the largest airport in Scandinavia and the main international gateway for Denmark. Handling over 30 million passengers per year, CPH serves as the primary hub for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and a major base for Norwegian Air Shuttle and easyJet. The airport connects Copenhagen to over 180 destinations worldwide, with particularly strong coverage of European, North American, and Asian routes.
EC261 Legal Status - Copenhagen Airport
All flights departing from Copenhagen Airport are fully covered by EU Regulation EC261/2004, regardless of airline or destination. For flights arriving at CPH from outside the EU, coverage applies only if the operating airline is EU-registered. Denmark has a 3-year limitation period for EC261 claims. The Danish National Enforcement Body is the Trafikstyrelsen (Danish Transport Authority).
€250 - €600
Compensation depends on flight distance: under 1,500 km qualifies for €250, between 1,500 km and 3,500 km qualifies for €400, and over 3,500 km qualifies for €600 per passenger.
- CPH → ARN (Stockholm, ~520 km): €250
- CPH → LHR (London Heathrow, ~960 km): €250
- CPH → BCN (Barcelona, ~1,760 km): €400
- CPH → IST (Istanbul, ~2,090 km): €400
- CPH → JFK (New York, ~6,200 km): €600
The airport has three terminals. Terminal 2 handles most domestic and Schengen flights, Terminal 3 serves international and non-Schengen flights, and the low-cost pier (CPH Go) is used by budget carriers. All terminals are connected airside, making connections straightforward. The airport is renowned for its efficiency and consistently ranks among Europe's best for passenger experience.
CPH is connected to central Copenhagen by Metro (15 minutes to Nørreport), regional trains to Copenhagen Central Station (13 minutes), and bus services. The airport sits on the Øresund coast, and its proximity to the sea means winter storms, strong crosswinds, and occasional snow can disrupt operations, particularly between November and March.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes of delays at this airport can help you assess your claim.
Disruption Causes
Common Disruptions at Copenhagen Airport
- Winter storms and strong crosswinds from the Øresund strait cause delays and cancellations, particularly between November and March
- SAS labour disputes have historically caused significant disruption, with pilot strikes grounding large portions of the Scandinavian network
- De-icing requirements during cold weather add turnaround time and cause cascading delays across the departure schedule
- Peak summer departures to Mediterranean destinations create congestion at security checkpoints
- ATC restrictions in Scandinavian airspace, particularly during military exercises, occasionally slow traffic in and out of CPH
What to Do When Disrupted at Copenhagen Airport
If your flight is disrupted at CPH, locate your airline's service desk. SAS has its main customer service area in Terminal 3 near check-in. Norwegian and easyJet desks are in the low-cost pier area. During major disruptions, CPH deploys additional information staff in the gate areas - the airport's digital screens also provide real-time updates.
Step-by-Step
Your Action Plan at Copenhagen
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1
Document the disruption - photograph departure boards, save notifications, and note scheduled versus actual times
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2
Visit the airline's service desk and request a written reason for the delay or cancellation
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3
Claim your right to care - meals after the delay threshold, hotel and transport for overnight delays
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4
Keep all receipts for food, transport, and accommodation expenses
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5
File your EC261 claim - Denmark's 3-year limitation period means you should act relatively promptly
Document the disruption thoroughly. Photograph the departure boards showing your flight's status, save all airline notifications, and request a written statement of the disruption cause from the airline. Danish courts handle EC261 cases efficiently, and the Trafikstyrelsen can investigate complaints against airlines that refuse to pay.
Under EC261, your airline must provide care while you wait: meals and refreshments after the applicable delay threshold, and hotel accommodation with transport for overnight disruptions. Copenhagen has several airport hotels (Hilton Copenhagen Airport is connected directly to Terminal 3, Clarion Hotel is nearby) and excellent public transport into the city. Keep all receipts for expenses the airline fails to cover.
Claiming Tip - Denmark
Denmark's 3-year limitation period is moderate by European standards. The Trafikstyrelsen handles enforcement and can mediate disputes. For individual claims, the Danish Complaints Board for Public Transport (Ankenævnet for Bus, Tog og Metro) covers some aviation disputes, and the Danish courts handle EC261 cases through the standard civil procedure. SAS, as a Scandinavian-registered carrier, is subject to Danish jurisdiction for flights departing from CPH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation for flights at this airport.
Does a SAS pilot strike count as extraordinary circumstances?
No. EU courts have consistently ruled that airline staff strikes are not extraordinary circumstances under EC261. The airline has control over its labour relations, and strikes are considered an inherent part of business operations. If your SAS flight was cancelled or delayed by 3+ hours due to a pilot or cabin crew strike, you are entitled to compensation. Only strikes by parties outside the airline's control (e.g., ATC strikes, airport staff strikes) may qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
Can I claim for a winter weather delay at Copenhagen?
It depends on the severity. Routine Scandinavian winter weather - moderate snow, cold temperatures requiring de-icing - is generally foreseeable and airlines operating from CPH are expected to plan for it. Only extreme, unforeseeable weather events (named storms, exceptional blizzards) are likely to qualify as extraordinary circumstances. If your delay exceeded 3 hours and the airline cites weather, it is still worth filing a claim, as many weather claims at CPH succeed when the conditions were not truly exceptional.
Airport Information
Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.