Aberdeen
Aberdeen is BAA’s fastest-growing airport and Europe’s busiest commercial heliport.
How did we perform?
The many positives of 2006 – rising passenger numbers, major new investment and a milestone decision on future development – highlighted the challenges ahead as the airport got to grips with accommodating growth while improving passenger facilities. Passenger numbers increased by 10.6% to almost 3.3 million, helping to drive underlying revenue to £28 million and underlying operating profit to £11 million. The growing interest in Aberdeen as a business and leisure destination saw the launch of new domestic and international services, increasing the need for additional space and facilities. As we worked to improve our facilities, passenger satisfaction scores dropped slightly from 4.0 to 3.9 (5 = excellent; 1 = poor) with many citing the need for improved terminal capacity.
How will expansion help things?
A major planned development will see the international arrivals hall extended and refurbished, providing extra space, a larger customs and immigration hall, and improved baggage reclaim facilities. Together with an approval for a runway extension, this will see Aberdeen become a valuable international gateway for north-east Scotland. Detailed design work in now underway and the first phase of the extension is expected to be completed in two years. More importantly, we’ll be able to support this growing passenger-base with far greater efficiency and comfort. Full details of these developments can be found in the airport’s recently published master plan.
