Aarhus Municipality is evaluating the potential closure of Aarhus Airport following stalled negotiations with a private investor, according to an internal briefing obtained by local media. The document, sent by the Mayor’s Office (Borgmesterens Afdeling) and reviewed by TV 2 Østjylland, outlines possible scenarios, including winding down operations at the regional airport located in Djursland.
Prolonged talks with Fairchild Denmark
At the centre of the uncertainty is the delayed outcome of negotiations with Fairchild Denmark, a prospective investor owned by the American Fairchild Aerospace Corporation. Talks began earlier this year, but no agreement has been signed to date. Fairchild Denmark has reportedly demanded full control over the ownership, operations and development of the airport, insisting on acquiring at least 51% of the shares.
The lack of progress has prompted the Aarhus authorities to explore exit strategies, while also appealing to the Danish government for potential national involvement to ensure continued operations. So far, no official commitment has been made by the state.
Financial difficulties and public guarantees
Aarhus Airport has faced chronic financial instability for years. In 2019, the municipalities of Aarhus, Syddjurs, and Norddjurs injected DKK 200 million (approx. €26.8 million) into the facility, with the expectation of attracting a private investor. That condition has remained unfulfilled. In March 2025, the three owner municipalities issued a DKK 15 million (approx. €2 million) guarantee to support the airport’s operations, of which Aarhus contributed DKK 5 million (approx. €670,000).
Now, Aarhus Mayor Anders Winnerskjold (Social Democrats) has proposed extending the municipal guarantee, indicating that discussions over the airport’s future are ongoing and subject to political approval.
Strategic implications for East Jutland
The potential closure of Aarhus Airport raises strategic questions about regional connectivity and the balance of air traffic infrastructure in Denmark. While Billund Airport remains a major international hub in Jutland, Aarhus Airport serves as a key link for the eastern part of the peninsula, including Denmark’s second-largest city.
Should closure proceed, it may reinforce existing disparities in access to air transport and further centralise aviation infrastructure. However, a final decision is unlikely before the current political and investment processes conclude.
