Aberdeen Airport is a bustling international airport located in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. The airport has a rich history that spans over eight decades, beginning with its opening in 1934. Today, it is a major hub for air travel in the northeast of Scotland, with flights to destinations across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
The history of Aberdeen Airport is closely tied to the city’s growth and economic development over the years. In the 1930s, the airport was built to serve as a hub for commercial air travel, with the goal of connecting Aberdeen to other major cities in the UK and beyond. The airport’s first flight was a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight to Amsterdam, which took off from the airport on May 28th, 1934.
During World War II, Aberdeen Airport was used by the Royal Air Force as a base for fighter planes and was also used as a transit point for aircraft being shipped to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program. The airport played a critical role in the war effort, and its strategic location in the northeast of Scotland made it an important hub for military transport.
After the war, the airport was returned to civilian use, and in the 1950s and 1960s, it became an important hub for the North Sea oil industry. As the offshore oil industry in the North Sea grew, the airport became a crucial transportation link for workers and equipment being transported to and from offshore oil rigs. In response to the increasing demand, the airport underwent a major expansion in the 1970s, with the construction of a new terminal building and runway extensions to accommodate larger aircraft.
In the decades that followed, Aberdeen Airport continued to grow and modernize. In the 1980s and 1990s, the airport underwent several upgrades and expansions, with new terminal buildings, parking facilities, and runway extensions being added to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and larger aircraft. The airport also introduced new technology and systems to improve safety and security, such as the introduction of advanced baggage screening systems and new air traffic control systems.
Today, Aberdeen Airport is a major gateway to the northeast of Scotland, with flights to destinations across the UK, Europe, and beyond. The airport serves over three million passengers each year, and its strategic location makes it an important transportation link for business travelers, tourists, and residents alike.
In recent years, Aberdeen Airport has implemented several sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. In 2018, the airport installed a 2MW solar farm, which generates enough energy to power the equivalent of over 400 homes. The airport has also installed LED lighting throughout its facilities, which has helped to reduce energy consumption by over 75%.
Overall, Aberdeen Airport is a critical transportation link for the northeast of Scotland, with a rich history that reflects the city’s growth and economic development over the years. As the region continues to grow and evolve, Aberdeen Airport will likely play an important role in supporting economic development and tourism in the area.