Karup Airport is the biggest airport in Viborg County and it has daily departures to Copenhagen and international destinations.

History

In the 1960, the idea of establishing an airport for the middle- and western part of Jutland flourished. The concept of providing the sourrounding area with a route connection to Copenhagen. Allready there were airports in the cities Tirstrup, Billund and Aalborg, who offered regular flights and they were, and still is, an essential part of the area they are each situated in.

For a number of years, it was the idea that the new Danish airport should be situated at “Tiphede” some km. from Karup Airport. But soon; the idea of merely using and extending the facilities of Military Air Base Karup came up. This proposal was agreed upon by the Danish government in 1965 and a temporary opening for civil air service was follow through in the Military Air Bases in Karup and Skrydstrup (at Seeland). The flight-route opened at the 1st of November 1965. In Karup it was allowed to make 2 double flights in SAS-management a day and this was done with a 15-person Heron-aeroplane. The first year 17.000 passengers flew from Karup.

The following year, a 56-person Metropolitan-aeroplane replaced the Heron. Also in 1966, a co-operative society was created by the 2 county counsil districts and 9 municipalities so that the running of the flight route could be managed properly. Participating was: Ringkjøbing and Viborg county counsil districts, Lemvig, Ringkjøbing, Skjern, Struer, Herning, Holstebro, Ikast, Skive and Viborg muncipality.

The economical foundation was first and foremost the funds of the co-operative society; 913.525 DKR. This is the first and only time any tax-money has been used on Karup airport. Since then, the airport has been self sufficient, meaning that Karup Airport today is totally user – financed; we do not receive any grants toward running costs from county councils, muncipalities or other. At the beginning, facilities were a lot more primitive than they are today. In 1967 the terminal that was used all the way up to 1991 was opened. The expenses on building this was about 1.5 mill. DKR.

From that day and onwards, things have been almost straight ahead. Up through the 1970ies and 1980ies investments were carried out concerning technical landing equipment and reinforcement of the lanes – which was necessary since the planes that was being used became bigger and heavier. Besides the pitch for the airplanes and establishment of a big parking area. In 1991 a brand new terminal was opened. To build it, the airport needed approximately 50 mill. DKR. In 1994, a ILS-category II landing facility was build. This meant that the aeroplanes had a far better chance of holding schedule in departure and arrival when having to deal with unclear and foggy weather. This was an investment for about 20 mio. DKR and was also paid entirely by Karup Airport.

In 1996, Karup Airport extended the terminal with a new gate, that serves as an foerign-travels facility. Here the tax-free shop I situated. Also passport- and customs have been established, so that the airport today has the status of being an international airport (ICAP and Schengen-status) This extention of the airport cost app. 8 mill. DKR.

And finally in 1997, the airplane pitch was made bigger – from 12.000 to 25.000 m2 – costing around 11. mill DKR.

All in all, Karup Lufthavn has invested right about 125 mill. DKR. Just the terminal itself is financed by loans; the rest has Karup Airport provided from its own capital.

Runway 04/22

2936 x 50 feet
895 x 15 meters

Runway 09/27

2789 x 197 feet
850 x 60 meters

Runway 09R/27L

9607 x 150 feet
2928 x 46 meters

Runway 09L/27R

9816 x 75 feet
2992 x 23 meters

Runway 14/32

2296 x 60 feet
700 x 18 meters

Navaids

Navaids

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2005.
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