Aberdeen Airport Guide

Name: Aberdeen Airport
IATA code: ABZ
Address: Aberdeen Airport, Dyce, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 7DU.
Telephone: 0870 040 0006

Aberdeen Airport is one of the ten busiest airports in the UK. It is located in the Dyce suburb of Aberdeen about 5.5 miles northwest of the city centre. The airport is currently one of, if not the, world's largest commercial heliport; helicopters linking North Sea oil rigs to the mainland make up nearly 50% of all air traffic handled (Aberdeen is sometimes referred to as the 'Oil Capital of Europe'). There is one main passenger terminal at Aberdeen Airport, this serves national and international scheduled and charter flights to British and European destinations. There are a further three terminals to be found at the airport, but these are used just for North Sea helicopter traffic. A £10 million development projected is under way to increase floor space and improve the existing facilities at the airport; the aim is to attract a higher number of international routes and firmly establish Aberdeen on the global transport map.

The airport is easy to reach via private and public transport. It lies northwest of the city centre on the main Aberdeen to Inverness road, the A96. There are regular busses running between central Aberdeen and the airport; on average, the journey takes round 30 minutes but can be longer at peak times. Aberdeen's main bus terminus, the Guild Street bus station is located in the city centre next to the main train station. From here the First Aberdeen 27 service can be taken to the airport, as can Stagecoach Bluebird services 10, 737 and 747. Single tickets should cost around £2.

The closest train station to the airport is Dyce; the journey here takes around 10 minutes by train from the Aberdeen's main station. The main terminal building is about two miles away from Dyce station but can be reached easily enough by taxi; the taxi journey takes 5-10 minutes and costs £6-7. First ScotRail, National Express East Coast and CrossCountry all run rail services between Aberdeen and Dyce. A taxi journey between the airport and Aberdeen city centre takes about 25 minutes and costs around £15.

Airport Pick-up

The terminal forecourt has a dedicated area for dropping-off only; waiting is not allowed, so drivers picking passengers up will need to use one of the airports short stay car parks.

Car Hire

Car rental is available inside the terminal building; major companies such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar all have desks at Aberdeen Airport.

Airport Transport

Passengers arriving at Aberdeen Airport and wishing to continue on to their destination will find plenty of transport options on hand. If you are just passing through and planning on going further afield then the short journey into the city centre is the best option; from the main bus and railway stations in the city centre coaches and trains can be taken to most places with the UK mainland. As mentioned in the "Getting to Aberdeen Airport" section the airport is connected to central Aberdeen via bus and train services; First Aberdeen bus service 27 and Stagecoach Bluebird bus services 10, 737 and 747 all make the journey into the city centre. The nearest train station is 2 miles from the terminal building but can be easily reached by taxi.

Aberdeen Airport has plenty of secure parking options. There are two short stay NCP car parks located next to the terminal building; both have CCTV surveillance and are staffed 24-hours a day. There is a long stay car park located close to the airport perimeter; free shuttle buses run between the long stay car park and the airport terminal every five to ten minutes. Like the short stay car parks, this car park also has CCTV monitoring and 24 hour staffing. Parking for all car parks can be booked in advance on the airports website.

There are plenty of facilities on offer at Aberdeen Airport. Airport staples such as WHSmith, Dixons Tax Free, Tie Rack and Boots can be found inside the terminal building. Travellers looking for refreshment will find a choice of eating and drinking establishments to suit all tastes. Early birds can enjoy breakfast in a cafe or grab a hot drink from a coffee shop, while those with more time on their hands can relax in a friendly pub or wine bar. Those needing to change foreign currency will be able to at one of the airports Travelex bureau de change outlets; cash machines are located throughout the airport for those needing to withdraw local currency, plus there are two ATMs that dispense Euros and US Dollars. Public seating is available throughout the airport, plus an airport lounge is available for those prepared to spend a little extra to avoid the crowds.

For flying families, baby-changing facilities are available before and after the security gates. A children's play area can be found in the departure lounge close to gate 1. Disabled travellers will be pleased to know that Aberdeen Airport was designed with their requirements in mind. The terminal building is wheelchair friendly; entrance is via revolving door and all public facilities are located on the ground floor. A reserved seating area is provided for travellers with restricted mobility and unisex, wheelchair accessible toilets can be found before and after security. Induction loops, tactile signs and high visibility signs have been installed to help hard of hearing and visually impaired visitors.

Aberdeen Airport has flights to over 30 destinations with around 20 different airlines. At the moment the airport only serves the UK and European destinations but this is set to change over the coming years. Carriers such as Flybe, Eastern Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet connect Aberdeen with most major cities in the UK while companies like bmi and Flyglobespan offer flights to popular Mediterranean hot spots. Due to the cities oil industry there are many flights to Norway. A few airlines fly as far afield as Turkey and Bulgaria. Aberdeen Airport is a major transport hub for people travelling to and from the Orkney and Shetland isles.

Flights to Aberdeen arrive from the locations mentioned above. The majority of air traffic coming through the airport comes from British or Scandinavian destinations.

Those wanting to stay overnight to get the perfect start to a stress-free trip will find a choice of hotels near Aberdeen Airport. The 3-star Menzies Dyce is located close to the airport and offers a regular shuttle service to get customers to the terminal with the minimum of fuss. The 4-star Thistle Aberdeen Airport is even closer to the airport; the terminal building is just a short walk away, making it the ideal Aberdeen Airport hotel of choice for all travellers wanting the best start possible to their trip abroad.

Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city and boasts a rich and proud history. Summer visitors will be pleased to know that there is a large sandy beach within a mile of the city centre and the cities gardens have won the Britain in Bloom competition an impressive ten times. Major cultural events include the annual Aberdeen International Youth Festival, a performing arts festival that attracts a wide range of young international talent, and the Aberdeen Jazz Festival. Aberdeen is an up and coming city that has a lively cosmopolitan feel to it, which is reflected in the blossoming art and cafe culture evident on the cities streets. The city is a great springboard for the surrounding Grampian countryside and hikers and history buffs will find plenty to keep them entertained all year round.