Copenhagen Airport's terminal will be 35 pct cheaper

COPENHAGEN Aug 31 (Reuters) - In a bid to attract customers looking for a bargain Copenhagen Airport's new low-cost terminal would offer airlines charges about 35 percent lower than fees at its existing facilities, the airport operator said.

The new CPH Swift terminal, which is to open on Oct. 31, would be part of Copenhagen Airport's effort to hold its own in tough international competition and remain attractive to all types of airlines, airport operator Kobenhavns Lufthavne A/S (KBHL.CO) said.

"Under the agreement, the passenger charge for using Copenhagen Airport's new low-cost facility will be approximately 35 percent lower," it said in a statement, adding the charge consists of several fees that airlines pay to the airport including charges for transfers, handling and security.

The deal between the airport and airlines on the charges was approved on Tuesday by the Danish Civil Aviation Administration and would remain in force until the end of March 2015, the company said. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Scandinavian carrier SAS (SAS.ST)(SAS.CO), Cimber Sterling CIMBER.OL airline, and Norwegian Air Shuttle (NWC.OL), representing about 88 percent of traffic at Copenhagen Airport, are all part of the deal, the company said. In July, Copenhagen Airport -- a major Scandinavian hub -- had more than 400,000 low-cost passengers in a single month for the first time ever, and the low-cost fares had a market share of 18.5 percent, the airport operator said. [ID:nLDE66B141]

"The low-cost carriers' year-to-date market share is 17.6 percent, which is about 3 percent higher than in 2009," it said. (Reporting by John Acher; Editing by Sharon Lindores)