Lois Larson
Scotland has a number of international airports, including Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Inverness Airport, Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, and Glasgow-Prestwick Airport. These airports offer direct flights to various destinations in Europe and beyond, with Edinburgh Airport becoming the first in Scotland to record over 15 million passengers in a calendar year in December 2024. Additionally, there are also smaller airports located on the Scottish islands.
Airports in Scotland
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | Several, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, Glasgow Prestwick, and Oban and the Isles Airports |
| Location | Edinburgh Airport lies on the A8 road, with access from the M8, M9, and M90 motorways. Glasgow Airport is 15 minutes from the city centre. |
| Transport | Edinburgh Airport is served by Edinburgh Trams and Edinburgh Gateway station. Glasgow Airport has a new fleet of electric buses. |
| Airlines | Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, KLM, Loganair, Easyjet, British European Airways, and Ryanair. |
| Destinations | Most European and Scandinavian countries, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and direct routes to Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Brussels, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Bergen in Norway. |
| Annual Passengers | Edinburgh Airport recorded over 15 million passengers in 2024. |
| Security | Glasgow Airport is investing in state-of-the-art Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) scanners, allowing passengers to keep electronic devices in their hand baggage. |
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What You'll Learn
Edinburgh Airport
The airport has a rich history, opening as a small base in 1916 and being used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, it remained under military control until it was officially opened for commercial traffic in 1947. The first commercial flight was a British European Airways service from London (Northolt) to Shetland, with Edinburgh and Aberdeen as intermediate stops.
In 1971, the British Airports Authority (BAA) took over ownership, and significant improvements were made, including a new runway and terminal building, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The original runway suffered from severe crosswinds, and the addition of the new runway allowed the airport to accommodate all modern airliners, including Concorde.
By 1987, the airport handled over 1.8 million passengers annually, and it has continued to grow. In 2014, Edinburgh Trams provided the first rail connection to the airport, and in 2024, it became the first Scottish airport to record over 15 million passengers in a calendar year.
The airport offers a range of services, including car hire, shops, and good security. However, some travellers have noted that it can be overcrowded and expensive, with narrow walkways and long queues.
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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 first established. During World War II, the airport was utilised by the Royal Air Force, with squadrons flying the Supermarine Spitfire. In 1963, the Royal Navy departed, and the airport underwent redevelopment, officially opening to the public in 1966. The original airport, Renfrew Airport, was located 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the current site and has since been replaced by a Tesco supermarket and the M8 motorway.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with a new electric bus service, the First Bus Glasgow Airport Express, providing a 24-hour connection in just 15 minutes. Additionally, various airlines offer direct routes to Glasgow Airport from European and international destinations. Lufthansa, for example, operates a year-round service from Glasgow to Munich, while Eurowings offers flights from Munich to Edinburgh. Ryanair also provides connections to Scotland, including a new route from Frankfurt International Airport.
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Inverness Airport
Over the years, Inverness Airport has faced challenges in establishing successful international scheduled services. It was not until the late 2000s that weekly seasonal services to Düsseldorf and Amsterdam were introduced, followed by daily flights to Amsterdam by Flybe in 2011. The airport has also faced controversy, such as the criticism HIAL received for a PFI deal signed to build a new terminal, which was later cancelled in 2006.
Despite these challenges, Inverness Airport has received recognition for its achievements. In 2024, the airport was awarded the "Best Airport under 2 Million Passengers in Europe" and "Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in Europe" accolades at the ASQ Awards. The airport continues to play a vital role in connecting the Highlands to the Scottish Islands, major UK cities, and destinations beyond. It is easily accessible by car via the B9039 and the Inverness-to-Nairn A96 route, making it a convenient option for travellers in the region.
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Sumburgh Airport
The airport is situated on the site of the former RAF Sumburgh airfield, which had three runways, two of which remain in use. The longest runway was originally 800 yards (730 m), while the shorter runway was 600 yards (550 m) from shoreline to shoreline. The airport also has a 550-metre (1,804-foot) helicopter runway instead of the usual helipad. The western end of runway 09/27 crosses the A970 road, and access is controlled by a level crossing that closes whenever a flight is taking off or landing.
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Scotland's regional airports
Scotland has a number of international airports based in the cities, as well as smaller airports on its islands. Edinburgh Airport, located in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh, was Scotland's busiest airport in 2019, handling over 14.7 million passengers. It is owned and operated by Global Infrastructure Partners, who are also shareholders of Gatwick Airport. The airport has one runway and one passenger terminal and is served by Edinburgh Trams, a light rail link.
Glasgow Airport is another international airport in Scotland, located in Paisley, Renfrewshire. In 2019, it was the second-busiest airport in Scotland, handling 8.84 million passengers. Lufthansa has recently extended its Glasgow-Munich service to a year-round service. Glasgow Airport also has direct routes to Scotland from the Middle East.
Inverness Airport in the Highlands has connections to Amsterdam, with KLM now operating twice-daily flights. There are also seasonal flights from Sumburgh Airport in Shetland to Bergen, Norway. Other regional airports in Scotland include Barra Airport, Broadford Airstrip, and Oban and the Isles Airports. Scotland's airline, Loganair, operates a number of routes around Scotland and its islands.
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Frequently asked questions
Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland, recording over 15 million passengers in 2024.
Some of the main airports in Scotland include Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Inverness Airport, and Sumburgh Airport in Shetland.
Glasgow Airport is easily accessible from the city centre via the new First Bus Glasgow Airport Express, a fleet of electric buses that run 24 hours a day.
Edinburgh Airport offers a range of facilities, including baggage drop-off options, currency exchange services, and a light rail link for transportation to and from the airport.
