Million investment modernises and future-proofs Sønderborg Airport

"We are proud and grateful to advise and plan for Bitten & Mads Clausens Foundation and Sønderborg Airport, supporting regional and cross-border infrastructure mobility, export, and business growth in both Southern Jutland and internationally through the airport's modernisation," stated Carsten Heine Lund, Senior Vice President for Infrastructure at NIRAS.

Sønderborg Airport serves as a vital infrastructure hub with significant importance for Sønderborg, Als, Southern Jutland, and the population on the other side of the Danish-German border. With approximately 1 million users, the airport connects to various routes within Denmark and European hubs. The upcoming improvements are expected to benefit both the local community and businesses.

Interdisciplinary approach at the core

NIRAS is advising Bitten & Mads Clausens Foundation and Sønderborg Airport throughout the project, involving a multitude of disciplines across NIRAS' fields. The project encompasses infrastructure, construction, planning, drainage, environmental considerations, and geotechnics.

Henrik Kvist Lehmann, Expertise Manager at NIRAS, highlights the unique nature of the project, requiring extensive interdisciplinary expertise.

"The Sønderborg Airport project demands significant interdisciplinary expertise, leading us to take a pragmatic and holistic approach. It's about creating the best conditions for the project and establishing a well-functioning infrastructure in Southern Jutland," stated Henrik Kvist Lehmann.

NIRAS contributes to tasks such as developing tender materials, obtaining regulatory approvals, coordinating planning and environmental assessments, conducting environmental and geo/marine technical surveys, and screening investigations of building materials for demolition. Additionally, NIRAS serves as the project manager for the new terminal building aimed at future-proofing the airport.

Terminal construction with safety and users in focus

NIRAS is the project manager for the construction of a new terminal building and associated outdoor areas, both on land and air sites. The task is intriguing and challenging due to specific safety requirements in an airport setting.

"One of the particularly interesting aspects of terminal construction is understanding and addressing the many safety measures required to build in an airport," said Project Director Lars Nordenhof. This process involves continuous dialogue and clarification with the aviation authorities to obtain necessary permits, a collaboration led by Henrik Kvist Lehman.

Lars Nordenhof, with extensive experience in terminal construction, emphasises the importance of understanding the unique movement patterns within such a building for both people and luggage. The next step in the process involves engaging with users to tailor the building to their needs.

"It is crucial to involve the building's users so that we understand their daily lives, needs, and desires. In other words, we must build a house that fits them precisely," said Lars Nordenhof.

Sustainability and operational efficiency - Integral parts of the project

Lars Nordenhof emphasized the central goal of achieving DGNB Gold certification for the terminal building, requiring a comprehensive focus on construction sustainability. NIRAS is well-equipped with a strong team of experts to address this challenge.

Furthermore, the project planning places significant emphasis on ensuring that the facilities and terminal can be operated most efficiently.