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Scotland has several international airports with year-round air links to most European and Scandinavian countries. Glasgow Airport, formerly Abbotsinch Airport, is an international airport in Paisley, Renfrewshire, located 9.9 miles west of Glasgow city centre. Edinburgh Airport is another airport in Scotland, and it is currently the busiest airport in the country. Other airports in Scotland include Aberdeen Airport, Inverness Airport, and Sumburgh Airport in Shetland.
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Glasgow Airport
The history of Glasgow Airport dates back to 1932 when the site at Abbotsinch, between the Black Cart Water and the White Cart Water, was opened. In 1933, the Royal Air Force 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Air Force moved its Westland Wapiti IIA aircraft from Renfrew to Glasgow Airport. The airport continued to have a military presence until the Royal Navy left in October 1963.
In the 1960s, it was decided that a new airport was needed for Glasgow. The original site of Glasgow's main airport, Renfrew Airport, was located just 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the current airport. The new airport, designed by Basil Spence, was completed in 1966, with British European Airways beginning services that year. The airport was officially opened on 27 June 1966 by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Edinburgh Airport
Over the years, Edinburgh Airport has undergone significant transformations. The original main runway, 13/31, faced challenges due to severe crosswinds, leading to the construction of a new runway, 07/25 (now 06/24), completed in 1977. This new runway, measuring 2,556 metres in length, could accommodate all modern airliners, including Concorde. The addition of this runway prompted the construction of a new terminal to manage the increased traffic, and the old terminal and hangars were converted into a cargo centre.
International services from Edinburgh Airport commenced in 1962 with direct flights to Dublin. However, it wasn't until the late 1970s that regular direct services to continental Europe began, with Amsterdam being the first destination in 1975. By the mid-1980s, Edinburgh Airport boasted direct routes to major European cities, including Paris, Düsseldorf, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen.
Today, Edinburgh Airport continues to be a bustling hub, with passenger traffic reaching a record high of over 11.1 million passengers and over 109,000 aircraft movements in 2015. While the airport has received some criticism for overcrowding and lengthy processes, it remains a vital gateway to and from Scotland, offering convenient transport options like the tram and bus services to the city.
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Aberdeen Airport
There are several airports in Scotland, including Aberdeen International Airport, located in the Dyce suburb of Aberdeen, approximately 5.8 miles (9.3 km) from the city centre. Aberdeen Airport first opened in 1934 as Dyce Aerodrome, established by Eric Gandar Dower for his enterprises, including the Aberdeen Flying School, Aberdeen Flying Club, and his airline, Aberdeen Airways. During World War II, the airfield became a Royal Air Force station, known as RAF Dyce, and played a crucial role in reconnaissance and anti-shipping operations.
Throughout its history, Aberdeen Airport has been utilised by various RAF units and has seen significant expansion and development. The original terminal was located on the east side, where the Bond Offshore Helicopters Terminal 2 is now situated. To accommodate the increasing air traffic, a new terminal and control tower were built. The airport was nationalised in 1947 and later transferred to the British Airports Authority (BAA) in 1975.
With the discovery of North Sea oil, helicopter operations commenced in 1967, connecting oil platforms to the mainland. As Aberdeen emerged as Europe's largest oil-related centre, the airport became the world's largest commercial heliport. Today, Aberdeen Airport remains a significant hub for the offshore North Sea oil and gas industry, handling over 37,000 rotary wing movements and approximately 468,000 passengers annually.
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Inverness Airport
The history of Inverness Airport dates back to 1940 when the airfield was constructed by the Air Ministry as Royal Air Force station Dalcross (RAF Dalcross). It saw active use during World War II and transitioned to civil operations in 1947. British European Airways, a forerunner of British Airways, initiated flights between Inverness and London-Heathrow in the mid-1970s, utilising a mix of Hawker Siddeley Trident jets and Vickers Viscounts. Despite fluctuations in flight schedules and airline operators, the route's significance remained until its discontinuation in 1997.
The airport has received accolades for its operational excellence and dedicated staff, including the "Best Airport under 2 Million Passengers in Europe" award and the "Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in Europe" accolade at the 2024 ASQ Awards. With a range of airlines serving various destinations, Inverness Airport continues to play a crucial role in connecting the Highlands to the Scottish Islands, major UK cities, and destinations beyond.
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Sumburgh Airport
There have been several notable incidents at Sumburgh Airport over the years. On 29 March 1981, a Potez 840 F-BMCY operated by Club Aéronautique de Paris made a wheels-up landing, resulting in minimal damage. On 6 November 1986, a British International Helicopters Chinook crashed 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of the airport, with only two survivors out of 47 people. More recently, on 23 August 2013, a Super Puma AS332 L2 crashed about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the airport, resulting in four fatalities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several airports in Scotland, including Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Aberdeen Airport, and Southampton Airport.
Glasgow Airport is the only airport in Scotland with direct motorway access. It is located right next to the M8 motorway, making it easily accessible from the city centre.
Edinburgh Airport is currently the busiest airport in Scotland, followed by Glasgow Airport, which was previously the busiest.
