History of Aberdeen Airport

So how did it all begin?

Aberdeen airport came into being in 1931 when a piece of land in Dyce, near Aberdeen, was acquired with the intention of being used as a public aerodrome.

It was initially used for shuttles between the Scottish northern isles and London. World War Two had a significant impact on the role of the airport, as it became primarily used as a military base.

After the war, the principal purpose of the airport returned to that of civil aviation, with the airport joining the British Airports Authority in 1947.

In 1967, the airport's first oil-related helicopter movements took place. This was the beginning of a well established role for Aberdeen airport, as by 1988 the airport was recognised as the world's busiest helicopter base. Aberdeen airport plays a crucial part in Scotland's oil industry, with a large number of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft using the airport as a hub for oil-related activity.

In 1987 Aberdeen airport was privatised as it became part of BAA plc.

To this day, Aberdeen airport is the world's busiest heliport, with over 35,000 rotary wing movements every year.