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Increased activity level at HCA Airport in 2024

2024 saw growing activity at HCA Airport - both on land and in the air. The number of aircraft and drone operations grew at the Funen airport, which is now in the process of expanding its business park to meet demand. 

It was a busy 2024 for HCA Airport. This is shown by the airport's recently published passenger and operational figures for last year. 

The number of flight operations grew from just over 6,100 in 2023 to approximately 7,600 in 2024, corresponding to index 124 compared to 2023. 

Similarly, the number of drone operations also ended in an index 124 with a total number of operations of approximately 5,500 compared to approximately 4,400 in 2023.  

Growing international customer base 

The growing number of operations is not least due to a continued increase in activity at the national drone test centre UAS Denmark Test Center, based at HCA Airport. 

More and more companies - including foreign drone and software manufacturers - have signed up to use the UAS Denmark Test Centre's test facilities and 1,900 km2 of airspace, where they offer test flights beyond the range of the remote pilot, so-called BVLOS flights. 

Expanding for the first time ever 

There is a growing demand to become part of the airport's unique ecosystem in both manned and unmanned aviation. Therefore, in autumn 2024, the airport embarked on a major expansion of the business park with the development of a four-hectare area. This is the first time HCA Airport has expanded its area. 

All plots are now reserved and the American drone company Thunderstrike is already in the process of building its own 5,000 m2 hangar with test and production facilities. 

"2024 emphasised that we have found the right strategy for HCA Airport, namely as an airport that rests on three business legs, each with its own customer base. We have a traditional airport, a drone test centre and a budding business park, and we see a lot of synergies in this combination, both for us and for the companies that are part of the ecosystem out here," says Hans Okholm Vejrup, CEO of HCA Airport. 

All charter flights sold out 

On the other hand, the number of passengers at Funen Airport fell slightly in 2024. Here, the index ended up at 87 compared to 2023 with a total of 7,407 passengers compared to 8,516 in 2023.  

However, this decrease is in line with the airport's strategy of keeping passenger numbers at a maximum of 10,000 passengers per year. This allows you to operate the airport according to a Danish set of rules instead of being subject to an EU set of rules, which would mean significant additional costs. 

However, HCA Airport remains fully compliant with applicable national and international aviation regulations, emphasises Hans Okholm Vejrup. 

It is also worth noting that all charter flights from HCA Airport in 2023 were sold out by tour operators. 

By 2025, Hans Okholm Vejrup expects the number of aircraft and drone operations to continue to grow, while passenger numbers are expected to remain on par with 2024. 

2024 2023 Index

Passengers

7.407
8.516
87

Flight operations

7.654
6.179
124

Drone operations

5.553
4.471
124

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