Aberdeen Airport: Charter Flights to Scotland
Aberdeen Airport is located approximately 8 kilometres to the northwest of Scotland’s "Granite City", on its dramatic North Sea coast. A popular destination for passengers of charter flights, Aberdeen Airport was named the UK’s best airport in 2014. Aberdeen’s thriving energy sector attracts business travellers while its rural surroundings of rolling hills and rocky cliffs make for spectacular views. The airport, and the region itself, are a gateway to Scotland’s northeast and its Shetland and Orkney Islands.
History of Aberdeen Dyce Airport
Aberdeen’s airport opened in 1934, offering connections to London for residents in northern Scotland, including those on the remote islands. When significant oil and gas exploration began in the North Sea in 1967, the airport quickly became an important hub for helicopters to and from oil platforms and rigs. Today, it is the world’s busiest commercial heliport, with three landing strips dedicated to serving helicopter traffic.
Aberdeen Airport underwent expansion and modernisation in the 1970s, including a new passenger terminal in addition to other improvements. A new departure lounge was added in the 1990s at a cost of £2.5 million. The runways and landing pads were also brought up to modern standards. Another important year was in 2005, when restrictions on night flights were lifted, allowing charter flights from Aberdeen Airport to take off 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The airport recently added to its retail and catering facilities as part of a new regeneration plan. From 2017 to 2019, Aberdeen Airport will be undergoing the next series of expansions and renovations, adding a new immigration area and expanded departure lounges, including a new business lounge.
Aberdeen (ABZ) Airport Location
After landing by private jet at Aberdeen Airport, transfer to the city centre is a short 8 kilometres and is a similarly easy journey if travelling from the city to the airport. Aberdeen is bordered by stunning landscapes in every direction, from Moray to the north, its own surrounding county of Aberdeenshire, and Angus to the south. These are best discovered with a hire car. If short on time to explore the surrounding area, the city itself also has much to offer.
Distance from Aberdeen Airport to:
- St Machar‘s Cathedral: approx. 9 kilometres by car
- Gordon Highlanders Museum: approx. 11 kilometres by car
- Seaton Park: approx. 9 kilometres by car
If arriving at Aberdeen Airport at a busy time of day, it’s advisable to reserve a taxi or executive car service in advance. While a taxi rank is available for arriving passengers, this can sometimes involve a wait if demand is high. Of course, hire cars are also available. These can either be returned at the airport or at a branch in the city.
Top Destinations for Private Jet Hire from Aberdeen Airport
When you hire a charter flight from Aberdeen Airport, you travel independently of schedules set by commercial airlines, which in the case of some low demand routes can be only once a day or perhaps only a few times a week. The most frequent destinations for Aberdeen charter flights are each less than an hour:
- Aberdeen ✈ Sumburgh (EGPB / LSI): approx. 47 minutes
- Aberdeen ✈ Glasgow (EGPF / GLA): approx. 47 minutes
- Aberdeen ✈ Lerwick Tingwall (EDNY / FDH): approx. 47 minutes
- Aberdeen ✈ Stornoway (EGPO / SYY): approx. 49 minutes
- Aberdeen ✈ Inverness (EGPE / INV): approx. 47 minutes
Shetland’s two airports – both located on its mainland – Lerwick in the centre and Sumburgh at the southern tip, are each a 47 minute charter flight from Aberdeen. By coincidence, Glasgow and Inverness require the same flight time, whereas a flight to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides is just two minutes longer. A visit to Shetland is truly a unique experience, from its windswept coastlines and tight-knit communities to its Viking festivals, folk music traditions, and charming guest houses. By contrast, Glasgow’s long-term transformation from a centre of trade, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and industry, to one of design, architecture, finance, high tech, retail and tourism have helped boost it to the fifth most visited city in the UK. While the Scottish Highlands are best discovered by car, its capital of Inverness on the fast-flowing River Ness is undoubtedly the ideal launching point for a memorable adventure. Private plane hire from Aberdeen airport means that schedules, stopovers, or onward destinations are up to you.
Charter Flights: Aberdeen Airport Amenities and Services
Aberdeen Airport offers numerous shopping opportunities – from cosmetics, spirits and champagne, to electronics. The airport offers a convenient Reserve and Collect Service, allowing you to select your purchases in leisure online and then pick them up before your Aberdeen flight. If you’re planning a round trip, you can also use the Shop and Collect Service, picking out items before flying and collecting them upon return. The Northern Lights Executive Lounge offers locally sourced food and over 50 whiskies for sampling while enjoying views over the runway.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport and if seeking a quiet space to work before your business flight, Aberdeen Airport’s Servisair Executive Lounge offers respite from the airport hustle and bustle. Of course, when flying by charter jet from Aberdeen Airport, there is no need to spend hours waiting on your flight, so for those whose priority is a quick check-in followed by take-off, the airport’s priority security will see you quickly on your way to your aircraft.
Whether interested in whisky distilleries or heritage sites, Aberdeen and northeast Scotland have both in abundance. Numerous festivals take place throughout the year such as Aberdeen’s True North Festival celebrating music and song in September, and SPECTRA, its award-winning festival of light in February, and the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy in midsummer. An international street market takes place three times a year.
ABZ Airport Runways
| Runway | Length and width | Surface |
| 16/34 | 1,953 m x 46 m | Asphalt |
| 36H | 260 m x 23 m | Asphalt |
| 05H/23H | 476 m x 46 m | Asphalt |
| 14H/23H | 581 m x 36 m | Asphalt |
Book a business jet to Aberdeen Airport easily and securely online with JetApp and travel according to your own schedule while enjoying exceptional comfort and service. Whether travelling for business or leisure, your Aberdeen Airport flight is the ideal way to reach this fascinating and thriving corner of Scotland.
Airport Facts
- Airport code: EGPD / ABZ
- Altitude: 66 m (217 ft) above MSL
- Passengers per year: approx. 2,955,338 (2016)
- Aircraft types: all common aircraft and weight classes
- Runway operating hours: 24/7
- Runways: 4 (1,953 m, 260 m, 476 m, 581 m)
Top Connections
- Kirkwall Airport (UK)
- Sumburgh Airport (UK)
- Glasgow Airport (UK)
- Lerwick Tingwall Airport (UK)
- Stornoway Airport (UK)
- Inverness Airport (UK)
- London Luton Airport (UK)
- Edinburgh Airport (UK)
- Wick Airport (UK)
- Benbecula Airport (UK)
- RAF Northolt Airport (UK)
- Retford Gamston Airport (UK)
- Farnborough Airport (UK)
- Birmingham Airport (UK)
- London Biggin Hill Airport (UK)
