Copenhagen Airports saves over DKK 20 million by replacing Oracle with PostgreSQL, boosting innovation, flexibility, and IT talent attraction.
Copenhagen Airports Kastrup (CPH), the largest airport in the Nordic region, is leading the way in digital transformation by adopting open-source technologies. With nearly 27 million travellers annually, CPH is proving that modernising IT infrastructure through open source can generate massive cost savings, improve operational agility, and attract top tech talent.
Modernising IT infrastructure through open source
Digitalisation is a central pillar in CPH’s development strategy. The airport’s 200-strong IT department plays a critical role in driving innovation while ensuring top-tier security, compliance, and efficiency.
A key component of this strategy has been to reduce reliance on costly proprietary software. In partnership with Redpill Linpro, CPH has initiated a full-scale database migration from Oracle to PostgreSQL, a move set to save over DKK 22 million in licence fees over the next two decades.
“Switching our Oracle databases to PostgreSQL is a great example of how we can release budget funds from licence costs for projects that drive digital innovation forward,” says Thomas Meier, Senior IT Engineer at CPH.
From proprietary lock-in to open source freedom
Previously, CPH managed its Oracle databases internally before outsourcing maintenance to a third-party provider. However, a thorough cost review revealed that licensing and operational expenses far outweighed actual needs.
Based on its open-source-first strategy, CPH identified PostgreSQL as a cost-effective, flexible, and future-ready alternative. The migration began with a test project and later moved on to critical systems like the baggage database, which connects to multiple airport operations.
The goal is to fully replace 26 Oracle databases, significantly lowering long-term IT costs and increasing system scalability.
Massive cost savings and quick ROI
With an annual Oracle licence cost of DKK 1.1 million, maintaining the legacy system for another 20 years would have cost DKK 22 million—not including future price increases or maintenance fees.
By contrast, PostgreSQL offers a payback period of just two years, giving the airport more freedom to invest in innovative digital initiatives.
“In PostgreSQL we get a modern database that enables automation, allowing our department to free up valuable time,” says Meier.
Open source: a magnet for tech talent
Beyond financial benefits, CPH’s move to open source is also a strategic HR decision. PostgreSQL is widely taught in IT programmes and embraced by the developer community, making CPH more attractive to emerging tech talent.
“We want to be an attractive workplace. Open source helps us achieve that by aligning with what the next generation of IT professionals already know and love,” says Meier.
A platform for future innovation
Once the migration is complete, all databases will be integrated into CPH’s Kubernetes-based development platform. This will enable:
- Faster deployment of new digital services
- Easier integration of APIs
- Simplified data collection for AI and advanced analytics
“This transformation sets the stage for faster innovation and smarter airport operations,” says Meier.
The future is open
CPH’s strategic move to PostgreSQL reflects a broader trend in the public and private sectors: open source is no longer just an alternative—it’s a catalyst for innovation.
By partnering with Redpill Linpro and investing in open-source technologies, CPH has unlocked budget, improved flexibility, and laid the foundation for future growth.
“I look forward to continuing our journey with Redpill Linpro and identifying even more areas where open source can deliver value to our staff, systems, and passengers,” concludes Meier.
