Aberdeen Airport History

Aberdeen Airport opened on 28th July 1934, with its main purpose being to connect Northern Scotland and the Scottish Isles with London. However, with the discovery of oil in the North Sea in the late 1960’s, Aberdeen Airport rapidly expanded to become one of the largest oil-related centres in Europe and the largest commercial heliport in the world. Following continued growth over the next four decades, Aberdeen Airport now handles approximately 2.9 million passengers per year, with flights to 40 national and international destinations.

Aberdeen Airport Timeline

• 1934 – Aberdeen Airport site first opened as Dyce Airport
• 1939 – RAF takes ownership of Aberdeen Airport site
• 1967 – Discovery of North Sea oil sparks rapid growth of services at Aberdeen Airport including first helicopter flights
• 1977 – Major investment of £10 million including new passenger terminal
• 1992 – New common departure lounge completed with £2.5 million investment
• 1998 – New Broomfield terminal opened
• 2004 – The third helicopter base at Aberdeen Airport is unveiled as well as the first stage of a £1.5 million investment plan for the new security search area
• 2005 – 24 hour opening at Aberdeen Airport
• 2006 – Ferrovial takes control of BAA and a new growth and investment plan is launched for the future of Aberdeen Airport
• 2007 – New refurbished £10 million departure lounge is opened by Scotland’s First Minister
• 2008 – Further development on £2 million forecourt project begins
• 2009 – Aberdeen Airport 75th birthday celebrated along with runway resurfacing project completed, opening of new £5 million international walkway and unveiling of RAF 612 Squadron war memorial
• 2010 – Economic Impact Study at Aberdeen Airport released and official announcement made for 2011 runway extension project

Airlines at Aberdeen Airport

There are 20 airlines operating at Aberdeen Airport with an average of 281 flights per day. Major airlines include Eastern Airways, bmi and Thomas Cook Airlines with flights to a wide range of destinations. Internal flights run regularly to London-Heathrow, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Cardiff and Southampton among others whilst international destinations include Paris, Mallorca and Copenhagen. Seasonal flights operate during the summer to popular holiday destinations such as Ibiza, Dalaman and Tenerife.

History at Aberdeen Airport

As one of Scotland’s oldest and most flourishing airports, Aberdeen Airport has a long and interesting history. With the 2010 Economic Impacts Study showing that Aberdeen Airport may contribute as much as £620 million to Scotland’s economy over the next 30 years, the airport is due to continue expanding. Airparks offers a great range of Aberdeen Airport Parking options, which you can pre-book in advance online at a discounted rate.