Aberdeen Airport – News
Flybe starts flights from Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Heathrow from March 2017
New regular flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to Heathrow, starting on 26th March 2017, have been announced by Flybe. These will be Flybe’s first flights to Heathrow. There will be 4 flights from Edinburgh on weekdays, and 3 from Aberdeen, making a total of 40 weekly flights per week. They will be using slots made available to Flybe at the insistence of the European Commission, after the takeover of BMI. Airlines hope to get Scottish passengers to link into long haul flights from Heathrow, with all the usual claims about economic benefits etc. Simon Calder says Flybe will inherit the dormant Heathrow slots and will challenge British Airways on the Edinburgh and Aberdeen routes. The fares may fall due to the competition. But the BA flights will be faster. The air fares could be around £85 to £130 for a return ticket.
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Heathrow slots that should be ‘ring fenced’ for Scottish flights redeployed for leisure routes to Spain, Italy & France
Simon Calder reports that precious landing slots at Heathrow that had been “ring fenced” for Scottish routes are being redeployed by British Airways to open new routes to Spain, Italy and France – leaving Scotland with one million fewer seats a year. When BA bought BMI, it was forced to hand 9 daily slot pairs specifically for use on routes connecting Heathrow with Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The so-called “remedy slots” had been used by BMI to operate flights from Heathrow to Scotland, and were taken up by Virgin Atlantic, which ran them for 2 years as “Little Red”. But last month Virgin scrapped Little Red. Therefore the slots revert to BA, which is using them to launch routes to Menorca, Biarritz and Palermo (starting next spring) – as opposed to the “emerging markets” in Asia, Africa and Latin America that are often cited in support of a 3rd runway at Heathrow. There will also be increases in the number of departures to long-established destinations such as Berlin, Stockholm and Venice. ie more holiday destinations. If another contender were to come forward for the “remedy slots”, BA would be obliged to hand them over. It is difficult to see, though, an airline that could make a success where Virgin Atlantic failed.
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Boris warns regional airports, including Liverpool & Aberdeen, of likely cut in links to Heathrow with a 3rd runway
London Mayor Boris Johnson has rubbished claims a Heathrow 3rd runway would boost connectivity for the regions. He says Liverpool may not get a domestic link to Heathrow, even with a new runway. He has warned other regional airports of the same thing. In 1990 Heathrow supported 18 domestic routes, but that has fallen to seven. With a new runway, the Airports Commission expects that to fall to just four. The current seven are Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. They have all on average seen their number of daily flights to London. If the Liverpool City Region, such as advanced engineering, creative and financial and professional service need to air link to the world, they could do that through a hub airport (Heathrow, Schiphol, Paris etc). Or they could do it by their own direct flight links, but those would be less likely if there is an even bigger monopoly airport in the south east of England. Since 2012, the number of daily flights between Aberdeen and Heathrow has dropped from 13 flights a day to 8 flights a day. Heathrow claims it would provide more regional links – but it has cut these in the past, preferring to focus on more profitable long haul flights. That tendency is likely to continue, even with a new runway.
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Heathrow Airport Holdings has completed the sale of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.
December 18, 2014
The three airports have been sold to a consortium formed by Macquarie and Ferrovial. Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “This sale enables us to focus on improving Heathrow for passengers and winning support for Heathrow expansion.” Southampton Airport issued a statement this morning saying it was ‘very much business as usual’ under the new ownership. “We will still continue to operate independently as an airport under local management in a similar way to before. It is very much business as usual as we head into the busy Christmas period,” said MD Dave Lees. Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton are the last airports, outside Heathrow, owned by the former BAA after regulators forced the sale of Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh.
http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2014676&c=setreg®ion=2
Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports sold to Ferrovial and Macquaire, by HAH, in £1bn deal
Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports have been sold by Heathrow Airport Holdings (HAH) in a £1 billion deal. All three will now be owned by a consortium formed by Spanish firm Ferrovial and Australia-based Macquarie, and managed locally. The sale is expected to be completed in January 2015. Ferrovial already part-owns Heathrow, and holds a 25% stake in HAH, which was previously known as BAA. So from January 2015, HAH will only operate Heathrow, while some years back it owned and ran seven airports. Heathrow itself is 25% owned by Ferrovial with other stakes controlled by investment vehicles from Qatar, Quebec, Singapore, the US, and China. (Nothing English). By passenger number in the UK, Glasgow ranks 8th, Aberdeen 14th and Southampton 18th. The airports are not anticipating any particular changes due to the sale. The uncertainty over ownership has not been helpful for the airports, but the investors will be wanting a return on their billion pounds.
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Glasgow, Aberdeen & Southamptom Airports put up for sale by owners Heathrow Airport Holdings by end of 2014
July 31, 2014
Heathrow Airport Holdings want to complete the sale of the three airports by the end of the year. Key staff at Glasgow Airport were given the news at a briefing this afternoon. Spanish-owned BAA later issued a statement through Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd. “Over recent months Heathrow Airport Holdings group shareholders and management have been considering their strategic position in relation to our three airports, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton. As a result the group is now formally entering a sale process. Whilst there is currently no certainty that a sale will be concluded, the group intends to work towards completing a transaction by the end of the year.” BAA’s sold Edinburgh airport for £807 million in May 2012 to Global Infrastructure Partners. A Glasgow Airport source said: “The feeling here is that BAA need to raise cash to invest in Heathrow, but they are carrying too much debt.”
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/glasgow-aberdeen-airports-put-up-3944332
Ferrovial makes bid to buy Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton airports – hoping to make more profit than at Heathrow
February 18, 2014
Ferrovial had made an offer – for an undisclosed amount – to buy Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports from its partners in Heathrow Airport Holdings. The price might be as much as £800 million. Ferrovial is the largest shareholder in Heathrow, with 25%. Heathrow Holdings has made it clear for sometime that it is eager to sell its other remaining airports. It is understood that Ferrovial is not making the offer in partnership with any other company, though some reports suggest that Australian infrastructure companies Macquarie and Industry Funds Management are also involved. It is not known if Ferrovial’s bid will be accepted. A Portuguese bank has valued the 3 airports at £952m using an equity value/earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 12.3 times for Aberdeen and Glasgow and 10.7 times for Southampton. Ferrovial bought BAA in 2006 for £10.3bn. It has since offloaded Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh in order to lower its debt. Now it is keen to buy again. Ferrovial hopes UK regional airports will grow strongly for the next few years, if the UK economy starts to grow, as they have a large amount of unused capacity. By contrast, the CAA has limited the amount Heathrow can charge airlines for landing charges, so decreasing the return available from Heathrow. Click here to view full story…
Speculation that GIP, Ferrovial and MAG interested in buying Aberdeen Glasgow and/or Southampton airports
November 13, 2013 Sky News has learned “from banking sources” that various infrastructure investors are interested in buying Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports – amid expectations that their owner, Heathrow Holdings, will opt to sell them – to focus on its ownership of Heathrow. It is understood that Heathrow is considering a plan to offload, following a string of unsolicited approaches from prospective buyers. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) which owns Gatwick and City airports, has expressed an interest in buying Aberdeen airport, although it has not yet made a formal bid. A number of Heathrow’s shareholders and board members are said to be keen to dispose of the 3 regional airports but its board has not yet made a formal decision. Ferrovial now only owns 25% of Heathrow,and is reported as now likely to be interested in buying one or more of the airports, through a separate vehicle. MAG is also understood to want to buy one or more of them. Click here to view full story…
Scotsman speculates that Heathrow Holdings may sell Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airport to raise cash for Heathrow runway
November 4, 2013 The Scotsman speculates that Heathrow Holdings Ltd (aka BAA) is considering selling Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, for a figure in the range of £1 billion, so it can focus more on Heathrow and getting a third runway. Some 8 0 – 905 of its business comes from Heathrow. The Scotsman says it has learnt that Heathrow Airport Holdings has held talks with advisers with a view to seeking buyers. Ferrovial, which has reduced its stake in Heathrow to 25% since buying BAA in 2006, is thought to be considering a deal to buy out the other shareholders in the 3 regional airports. Heathrow Airports declined to comment, but analysts believe a decision to sell makes sense, particularly if the airport was to secure approval for the extra runway. The sale would help Heathrow raise capital for a new runway. The potential prices will depend on passenger numbers. It is speculated that Glasgow might sell for £600 million, and Aberdeen + Southampton might go for £450 – 500 million for the two. They are all thought to be marketable. Click here to view full story…
Flybe to scrap Gatwick to Aberdeen services
Official opening for new 124 metre extension of Aberdeen Airport runway
7th October 2011 The 124 metre extension to Aberdeen’s main runway has been opened ahead of schedule. The runway is now 2,077 metres long. Work started in March was completed 8 months early. It is hoped the runway could open up new routes. BAA says this allows bigger, more modern aircraft to fly from Aberdeen to destinations across the Mediterranean, North Africa and North America. And BAA stays the airport contributes £114million of gross value added (GVA) annually for Aberdeen City and Shire. Click here to view full story…
North east says links from London to Aberdeen are vital
23rd August 2011 A north-east transport group will urge the DfT to reconsider its “one size fits all” approach when evaluating how accessible London is from other parts of the country. Nestrans has completed a draft response to a consultation on the future of the UK’s aviation industry, and has suggested Aberdeen will suffer economically if better links with London are not established and maintained. High speed rail to Edinburgh will not help Aberdeen. Click here to view full story…
More services from Southampton to Europe’s oil capital, Aberdeen
16.8.2011 (BAA) Eastern Airways is introducing additional non-stop direct flights from Southampton Airport to Aberdeen. Eastern, which is the UK’s 2nd largest regional airline, wwill increase non-stop flights from two to three each weekday in both directions from 5 September 2011. Weekday flights will leave Southampton at 6.50am (Monday only), 9.05am (Tue-Fri), 11.20 (Monday only), 2.10pm (Tue-Thu), 4.35pm (Friday only) and 6.45pm (Mon-Thu). From Aberdeen weekday flights will depart at 6.50am (Tue-Fri), 9.05am (Monday only), 11.50 (Tue-Thu), 2.15pm (Friday only), 4.30pm (Mon-Thu) and 6.55pm (Friday only). A Sunday service will also continue to be offered to Aberdeen from Southampton. Link to article
Donald Trump backs extended Aberdeen airport runway and opposed wind farm
22nd December 2010 Donald Trump is planning a huge 5 star golf, housing and hotel complex on the coast near Aberdeen. Its aim is to draw in a lot of rich people to play golf in a high-end golf course, and this means he supports extension of Aberdeen’s runway. His plans are deeply unpopular with the local community. Trump is opposing an off-shore windfarm, as it would damage the view from his golf course. He is also evicting an 86 year old lady, to get her land. (TUT) https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=4482
Aberdeen Airport’s £10m runway 124 metre extension goes ahead starting March
Possibility of extending Aberdeen airport runway due to BAA sale?
15th October 2010 An aviation travel analyst has speculated that if BAA is forced to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport, it will have money available to build a runway extension at Aberdeen. That would enable the runway extension of nearly 1,000ft, which was given the all-clear by city councillors nearly four years ago, to go ahead. Meanwhile BAA said it was working out options and “what impact this will have on all of our other airports.” (Press & Journal) https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=4418
14th October 2010 Glasgow or Edinburgh airport could soon be put up for sale after the Court of Appeal in London decided that BAA should dispose of one of Scotland’s 2 main airports. With one operator owning two airports within an hour’s drive of each other there has been little incentive for them to introduce competition on routes, tickets or charges. Business leaders are split over which would provide a better return on investment as BAA attempts to cut a £10 billion debt. https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=4415
26th July 2010 Plane Stupid in Scotland have found out that Donald Trump, whose planned housing and golf course would “lead directly to airport expansion” at Aberdeen airport, has been involved in opposing construction of a second runway at Palm Beach International Airport, near his Mar-a-Lago estate and members-only beach club. Opponents of expansion at Aberdeen airport see this as amazing hypocrisy. https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=4237
Climate9: Day 4 of the trial in Aberdeen
19th June 2010 On Thursday, the court saw an hour-long video of the runway invasion, that was recorded by police at the time. The protestors reiterate clearly that their aim was to close the airport for as long as possible; to stop airport expansion; to end short haul flights; to get people in high-emission industry into green jobs. It also shows they were willing to leave immediately if it was established they were preventing the take off of the air ambulance. Click here to view full story…
Climate9 trial: Ambulance worker witness tells court that protestors did not delay ambulance flight
17th June 2010 The trial of the Climate 9 protesters in Aberdeen heard on Wednesday from an air ambulance witness that the protesters were not responsible for delaying an air ambulance, as had previously been suggested during yesterday’s evidence for the prosecution. He said: “Our flight was scheduled to take off at 8.00am this morning, but in fact took off about 8.35am, but this was due to our operational delay by the medics and not the protestors”. The trial continues. Click here to view full story…
Climate9 trial: Plane Stupid protest “delayed take-off for air ambulance” at Aberdeen airport
15th June 2010 On the 2nd day of the Climate9 trial in Aberdeen, the airport’s duty manager told the court that emergency helicopter flight was unable to leave because the airport had been shut down. However, the defence advocate established that there was no physical reason why the helicopter could not take off, as the activists only occupied a very small part of the runway. The airport says the helicopters could not take off as the airport was technically closed for safety. Click here to view full story…
Aberdeen Climate 9 trial – for invasion of runway in 2009 – hope to set precedent
14th June 2010 The trial of the 9 activists who invaded the runway at Aberdeen in March 2009 has started in Aberdeen. Their action was designed to stop carbon emissions from aviation and to highlight the links between Donald Trump’s planned hotel and golf course complex and the expansion of Aberdeen airport. The Climate 9 are arguing the defence of necessity. They argue that their actions were justified because they were trying to prevent runaway climate change. Click here to view full story…
Aberdeen Climate9 trial starts on 14th June
8th June 2010 The Climate9’s trial starts in Aberdeen on 14th June. The 9 are charged with vandalism and breach of the peace. Their defence, at the most important climate change trial ever in Scotland, will be that they committed a smaller crime, in order to prevent a larger one. That was the defence that won the case for the Kingsnorth Six in ~September 2008. You can send the Climate9 a message of support, or read the dozens from around the world. Click here to view full story…
3.5.2010 Loganair has added extra flights to Sheltand on the back of an agreement to carry weekend newspapers to the isles after the collapse of Highland Airways. There will be an extra flight in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays. Details …..
Nine in court over alleged Aberdeen Airport protest
Scotland – Funding needed for new international air services
4th August 2009 The Scottish Council for Development and Industry said financial support from government was needed to develop new routes and claimed a Scottish route development fund, axed by Brussels under state aid rules, should be restored after a court ruling questioned the ban. It also called for the restoration of the Heathrow service from Inverness, a guarantee for the existing service between Aberdeen and Heathrow and other help. (Press & Journal) Click here to view full story…
Aberdeen: North-east’s new link with Cardiff is launched
22nd April 2009 Transport links between the north-east and Wales were strengthened with the launch of a direct flight between Aberdeen and Cardiff, which will fly 6 days a week. It is the 9th route provided by Flybe and Loganair from Aberdeen. The firms became franchise partners in October. The service will operate from Sunday to Friday with fares available from £44.99. It is expected to be used bybusiness travellers, students, tourists and residents. (Press and Journal) Click here to view full story…
Aberdeen Airport £7.2 million runway rehabilitation programme starting
18th March 2009 A multi-million pound programme of work is about to begin at Aberdeen Airport, which will involve a complete resurface of the main runway. It starts on Sunday 29th March 2009 and should be completed by the end of October. The process involves removing the top layer of runway, in small areas at a time, and replacing the surface, which could add 15 years to its life. (BAA) Click here to view full story…
3rd March 2009 Nine Plane Stupid Scotland protesters shut down Aberdeen airport by setting up a golf course on the taxiway. They surrounded themselves with fortified security fencing whilst others occupied the roof of the terminal building and unfurled a banner reading, “Nae Trump Games with Climate Change”. The peaceful protest began at 2.15am whilst the runway was closed. The protest delayed the scheduled opening of the airport at 5am, until 9am. – the aim being to prevent the release of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Click here to view full story…
February 2009
02.02.09 Loganair / Flybe announce Cardiff – Aberdeen flights
January 2009
24.01.09 BAA concerned over Aberdeen Airport taxi plans
16.01.09 bmi add Birmingham – Aberdeen flights
12.01.09 Eastern launch Aberdeen – Oslo flights
09.01.09 Competition Commission wants Aberdeen Airport passenger rebate
06.01.09 Flyglobespan drop Aberdeen – Canaries route after 2 weeks
14.12.08 Aberdeen Airport shuttle bus to take off this week
19.11.08 Flybe considering Aberdeen expansion
11.11.08 Flyglobespan axe Aberdeen – Egypt route
12.10.08 Economy problems hit Aberdeen Airport passengers
29.09.08 Eastern announce Aberdeen – Oslo flights
18.09.08 BAA to fight sale of Scottish airport
16.09.08 Flyglobespan axe Aberdeen – Barcelona flights
14.09.08 Aberdeen Airport blames aviation industry woes for fall in passengers
12.09.08 easyJet axe Aberdeen – Luton flights
09.09.08 Flybe plans Aberdeen expansion
06.09.08 Aberdeen Airport committee reject Competition Commission report
19.08.08 Airports ‘losing domestic passengers to rail’
12.08.08 £10m Aberdeen Airport upgrade begins
08.08.08 Flyglobespan announce Aberdeen – Ibiza flights
02.08.08 BA cut Aberdeen Airport flights
28.07.08 Aberdeen Airport flying club to close
10.07.08 Record month for Edinburgh; passengers down at Glasgow and Aberdeen
21.06.08 Aberdeen Airport boss slams transport links
11.06.08 Scottish international flyers soar
05.06.08 Eastern and Gate Group ink deal
15.05.08 Aberdeen Airport passengers up 1.6%
06.03.08 Flybe add Aberdeen – Gatwick flights
27.02.08 Aberdeen Airport ‘most improved’
27.02.08 Aberdeen Airport group call for Heathrow slot protection
24.02.08 BAA in £1bn regional airports fundraising
23.02.08 Fears raised over BA Aberdeen – Heathrow route
22.02.08 Eastern announce lower fares on new routes
15.02.08 Flyglobespan offer jobs to City Star staff
08.02.08 Airlines fighting for Aberdeen – Oslo flights
02.02.08 Expansion for Eastern Airways at Aberdeen and Newcastle
01.02.08 City Star collapses after Aberdeen Airport impounds plane
31.01.08 Flybe announce Newcastle flights to Gatwick, Aberdeen and Rennes
27.01.08 Aberdeen Airport reveal strange items passengers try to take on flights
15.01.08 Flybe to take over Aberdeen Airport – Gatwick route
10.01.08 Aberdeen Airport passengers drop for second month
10.01.08 Bid to cut ‘kiss and fly’ trips at Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Airport plan to take off 13 DECEMBER 2006, NORTH EAST
- Airport extension plan deferred 16 NOVEMBER 2006, NORTH EAST
- Greens condemn airport expansion 21 MARCH 2006, SCOTLAND
- Runway extension plans unveiled 28 NOVEMBER 2005, SCOTLAND
All articles in reverse date order
Aberdeen Airport News Stories
Some Recent news about Aberdeen airport: News stories about the airport can be found at the UK Airport News website : If some links will not open, change “update” in the URL to “news”, and they will. (eg. http://airportwatch.org.uk/update/detail.php?art_id=3582 to http://airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php?art_id=3582 Donald Trump backs extended Aberdeen airport runway and opposed wind farm 22nd December […]
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