Aberdeen Airport Ready for Expansion

The number of passengers using Scotland’s third largest airport, Aberdeen, increased again last month. The total number of passengers using the airport in the first four months of 2008 has exceeded 1 million with 280,700 using the terminal during April. This is an increase of 1.6% on the figures for April 2007.

Aberdeen continues to be Scotland’s fastest growing airport offering flights to over 35 destinations. It is also the main heliport for the North Sea oil industry providing helicopter flights to and from the oil rigs for oil workers.

Up until March 2005 aircraft were not allowed to take off from the airport between the hours of 22:30 and 06:00 due to local noise restrictions. These were lifted by the local council, despite opposition from local residents. The airport is now set to undergo development to extend the main runway.

City councillors have agreed to an extra 300 metres that will enable larger, international aircraft to use the airport. Initially an extension of 125 metres is to be added to the runway. Whilst this expansion has been welcomed by the Scottish tourism board, it has met with strong opposition from environmental campaigners.

For the local tourism industry to continue to grow, expansion of Aberdeen airport is essential.