Aberdeen International Airport Reports increase in passenger numbers for February 2017

Almost 213,000 passengers travelled through Aberdeen International Airport in February representing an increase of 1% compared to the same period last year. After adjusting for the leap year, figures were down 3.4% on account of the extra day in February 2016.

The airport’s success in securing a number of new routes contributed to a like-for-like rise in international traffic of 4.6% whilst the total number of domestic passengers increased by 2%. Helicopter traffic was down 9.9%.

The increase in passengers comes after the airport reported in January it had experienced its lowest decline for almost two years.

Carol Benzie, Managing Director of Aberdeen International Airport, said: “Clearly the outlook for the North East remains challenging, however, our passenger numbers do suggest the decline is slowing somewhat and the outlook is perhaps not quite as stark as it was 12 months ago 

“Regardless, our focus is on strengthening Aberdeen’s connectivity by encouraging airlines to add new routes and, where possible, add capacity on existing services. Later this month Flybe will launch its new Heathrow service which will see the airline operate three flights per day to what is the UK’s only hub. This is an important business service and it will provide passengers with further choice on what is our most popular route.

“We are also strengthening our international connectivity and having successfully launched direct flights to Alicante and Malaga, Ryanair will introduce its Faro service in May. AirBaltic will also introduce its Riga service during the same month. Alongside our efforts in route development we are making real progress with our terminal redevelopment works and passengers will start to see marked improvements over the coming months.”