History of Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Airport opened in 1934 and with the discovery of North Sea oil in 1967, soon became a major centre for helicopter activities linking oil rigs to the mainland, as well as business and leisure flights. Take a look at the milestones in our history.
December 2014: Airport officially transfered to ownership under AGS, a consortium of Ferrovial and Macquarie.
November 2014: Awarded 'Best Airport (under 6 million passengers) in the UK' at the AOA awards.
July 2014: Airport celebrates its 80th birthday.
January 2014: Confirmation that 2013 was the busiest year ever for the airport, with a record 3.5 million passengers.
December 2013: Plans approved for a £13 million redevelopment, due to be complete by 2017.
October 2013: Carol Benzie takes up position of permanent Managing Director.
August 2013: Becomes the first airport in the UK to be awarded prestigious Customer First accreditation status.
April 2013: Shortlist for 'Airport of the Year' at the Scottish Transport Awards.
April 2013: Free wi-fi is launched for all customers using the airport, both before and after security.
March 2013: Managing Director Derek Provan moves to role at Heathrow Airport and Nick Barton joins the Aberdeen International Airport team as interim MD until August.
January 2013: Aberdeen International Airport launches a brand new Customer Charter.
April 2012: Draft 2012 Master Plan launched for public consultation (final version published in January 2013.
February 2012: Named "UK's Fastest Growing Airport" for 2011 by CAA.
October 2011: The extension to the airport main runway is officially opened, 8 months ahead of schedule.
November 2010: The official announcement is made that that work on the 124 metre runway extension will start in 2011.
September 2010: Derek Provan joins Aberdeen Airport as new Managing Director.
July 2010: A major Economic Impact Study is released by Aberdeen Airport and ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) which confirms that development plans at the airport over the next 30 years could contribute a net benefit to Scotland's economy of as much as £620 million.
November 2009: War memorial unveiled at the front of the terminal, in honour of the men who served here when it was home to the RAF 612 squadron.
July 2009: Aberdeen Airport celebrates its 75th birthday. Thanks to the helicopter industry and a growing demand for fixed-wing services, Aberdeen has the busiest runway/airspace in Scotland and the fifth-busiest runway in the United Kingdom.
June 2009: Opening of the new International walkway, an investment of £5 million.
Early 2009: Runway resurfacing project commences, costing over £9 million and adding 15 years to the life of the surface.
July 2008: Work begins on a £2 million forecourt project to improve passenger access, with a new dedicated access lane for taxis and a drop off area for passengers.
June 2007: Scotland's First Minister opens the newly refurbished £10 million departure lounge.
January 2007: We appoint Kevin Brown as Aberdeen Airport's new Managing Director.
December 2006: We unveil our future vision for Aberdeen Airport, including runway extension.
June 2006: Ferrovial takes control of our airport.
2005: Aberdeen launches its blue print master plan for the next 25 years investment and growth.
March 2005: Aberdeen Airport granted permission for 24-hour opening.
2004: We unveil a third helicopter base and the first phase of £1.5m development, a new security search area, opens.
1998: Broomfield terminal opened.
1992: £2.5 million common departure lounge development completed.
1977: £10 million invested and new passenger terminal opened, with a continuing investment programme at an average rate of £3 million per year.
1975: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) handed over to the British Airports Authority.
1967: First offshore helicopter flight by Bristow and more rapid growth of services.
1939: Taken over by RAF and some civil flights mainly to Northern Isles, followed by gradual post-war expansion of scheduled services until the arrival of the oil industry.
1934: Dyce Airport opened on 28 July.