Ærø Airfield

AEro Flyveplads sits on the island of Ærø in southern Denmark, a single-runway airstrip that connects the towns of Marstal and Ærøskøbing to the mainland. The airfield handles general aviation and light aircraft, with a grass runway that suits the island’s relaxed pace. Sightseeing flights and charter operations supplement the regular flow of private pilots and local fliers. The field is open on limited days, with operations concentrated early Monday and Tuesday mornings, late Wednesday evenings, and Thursday afternoons. Despite its modest size, AEro Flyveplads offers a surprising range of facilities and serves as a practical entry point for visitors exploring Ærø’s maritime heritage and coastal scenery.

Getting There

AEro Flyveplads is located about 2 kilometres west of Marstal town centre. The nearest city with larger transport connections is Svendborg on Funen, which lies 30 kilometres north-west across the water. From Svendborg, a ferry runs to Ærøskøbing (about 75 minutes), from where Marstal is a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute bike ride along the coast road. The airport itself has no public transport, but taxis can be arranged in Marstal, and the airfield offers bike rentals that make the short journey to town easy. For pilots arriving by air, the runway is oriented 12/30 with a grass surface and is 600 metres long. The field is at an elevation of 5 metres and uses frequency 123.500 MHz. Navigation requires attention to local landmarks, as the runway blends into the surrounding farmland.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at AEro Flyveplads is a small, single-storey building that combines basic check-in facilities with a waiting area. There is no jet bridge or baggage carousel — passengers walk directly from the aircraft to the building. The interior is functional: wooden benches, a counter for flight bookings, and a noticeboard with local information. The atmosphere is quiet and utilitarian; as one visitor noted, the dullness is notable but does not detract from the efficiency. Shower facilities are available for those camping or arriving after a long flight, and a clean toilet is located adjacent to the main room. Tent space is provided on the grass area beside the terminal, making the airfield a viable overnight stop for touring pilots. The staff are consistently described as friendly and helpful, often arranging ground transport or providing local advice. The airfield offers bike rental directly from the terminal, a key service given the proximity to Ærøskøbing and Marstal.

AEro Flyveplads and Marstal

Marstal is a town of about 2,200 people on the south-east coast of Ærø, with a history deeply tied to the sea. For centuries, Marstal was one of Denmark’s most important centres for shipbuilding and maritime trade, and that heritage is preserved in the Ærø Museum and the Maritime Museum. The town’s harbour is lined with historic wooden ships and working fishing boats, and the narrow streets are filled with half-timbered houses and artisan workshops. Visitors can walk the waterfront, visit the museum, or take a short boat trip to the nearby island of Birkholm. The island’s beaches are quiet and clean, especially along the south coast near Marstal. Ærøskøbing, 10 kilometres north-west, is a similarly preserved town with cobbled streets, craft shops, and a lively ferry port. Cycling between the two towns is the most popular way to explore the island, and the bikes available at AEro Flyveplads make this easy. The coastal route offers views of the Baltic Sea and passes through farmland and forest. Sightseeing flights from the airfield cost 225 kr per person and provide a ten-minute overview of the island’s geography and coastline, a worthwhile addition for anyone wanting a different perspective. The airfield’s location between the two main towns makes it a natural base for a weekend trip or a longer stay.

Practical Information

AEro Flyveplads is not open every day. Operations are concentrated on Monday (from 4 am), Tuesday (from 4 am), Wednesday (from 10 pm), and Thursday (from 2 pm). Check ahead with the operator, Starling Air, to confirm schedule for your arrival. The website is https://starling.dk/ and the phone number is +45 62 53 33 94. The airfield has no ATM or shop, so bring cash or cards for bike rental and sightseeing flights. The nearest grocery store is in Marstal centre. Camping overnight at the airfield is permitted on the tent space, but there are no electrical hook-ups. The bike rental is the most practical way to reach Ærøskøbing — allow 30 minutes each way. One concrete tip: if you want a quiet experience, arrive on a Thursday afternoon; the Monday and Tuesday early morning flights limit the atmosphere. But the staff’s friendliness compensates for the sparse amenities, and the combination of a simple airfield and a genuinely charming island makes AEro Flyveplads a pleasant stop.