About Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ)

Aberdeen International Airport (IATA: ABZ, ICAO: EGPD) serves the city of Aberdeen and the surrounding Grampian region from its location in the Dyce suburb, approximately ten kilometres northwest of the city centre. It is Scotland's third-busiest airport and an important gateway for both domestic and European travel, handling around 1.9 million passengers in 2023. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also operates Glasgow and Southampton airports, and in 2025 received a commitment of £350 million in investment from infrastructure group AviAlliance to enhance terminals and expand connectivity.

Beyond its role as a commercial passenger airport, Aberdeen is also Europe's busiest heliport, a status that sets it apart from any other airport in Scotland. Four dedicated terminals handle helicopter operations serving the offshore oil and gas platforms of the North Sea, operated by Bristow Helicopters, CHC Helicopter, NHV and Babcock Mission Critical Services. The proximity of the airport to the energy industry means it is a particularly significant facility for the wider northeast Scotland economy, with a workforce that blends airline ground staff, security and retail personnel with a substantial offshore support operation.

The airport has a single main passenger terminal handling all scheduled and charter flights. Routes span the major UK cities and a growing range of European destinations. Aberdeen is a base for Loganair, Scotland's regional airline, which provides the lifeline links between the mainland and the Northern and Western Isles that are essential to island communities, as well as connections to larger Scottish and UK cities.

Information:

The airport information point is located in the main terminal concourse, opposite domestic baggage reclaim and to the immediate right of the entrance.

Website:

Driving directions:

Aberdeen Airport lies directly on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road and is connected to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) at the Craibstone junction, approximately one mile from the terminal. The AWPR provides a bypass around the city, making the airport accessible from the south, east and west without passing through the city centre. Journey times from central Aberdeen are typically 15 to 20 minutes in normal traffic, though this can extend during morning and evening peak periods. A paid drop-off and pick-up zone operates directly outside the terminal.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus services depart from Aberdeen International Airport going to Aberdeen city centre. Bus trips take around 35 minutes, depending on the traffic. Jet 727 operated by Stagecoach (www.stagecoachbus.com) is the premier bus service that takes passengers directly from the airport terminal to the Aberdeen Union Square bus station. Service 16 operated by First Aberdeen (0345 646 0707, www.firstgroup.com) takes passengers to Guild street in central Aberdeen. Bus schedules and fares are subject to change, with services offered less frequently on weekends and evenings.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing. Taxis are available from the rank directly outside the terminal arrivals area. A metered taxi to Aberdeen city centre typically costs in the region of £20 to £25 and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Pre-booking through local taxi companies is an option for guaranteed availability on early departures. Ride-hailing services including Uber operate in Aberdeen and can be used to and from the airport, with fares comparable to metered taxis.

Public transport rail:

Aberdeen Airport does not have a direct railway station at the terminal. The nearest station is Dyce, approximately three kilometres from the terminal building, served by ScotRail on the Aberdeen to Inverness line. Taxis between the terminal and Dyce station take around five to eight minutes. Services from Dyce provide connections to Aberdeen city centre and, via Inverness, into the Highlands. The Dyce station is not within convenient walking distance of the terminal, so travellers using rail should budget for the connecting taxi.

Terminal facilities

Money:

A currency exchange desk operates in the terminal, offering conversion between sterling and major foreign currencies. ATMs are available landside and airside. As with most airport currency services, rates are typically less favourable than those available in the city centre, so travellers are advised to exchange only what is needed immediately if rate sensitivity is a consideration.

Food:

The airside area offers a range of food and drink options. A pub-style bar and grill serves hot meals, sandwiches and drinks throughout operating hours, making it suitable for both a quick bite and a leisurely pre-flight meal. Café options provide coffee, pastries and lighter snacks. A Burger King unit provides a fast food option. Landside, before security, there are further coffee and light dining options including a Costa Coffee. The dining selection is oriented towards a broad range of passengers, with the pub and grill option in particular catering well to the substantial business traveller population that uses the airport on weekday mornings.

Shopping:

The airside departure area contains a World Duty-Free outlet offering the standard range of perfumes, spirits, tobacco, confectionery and cosmetics at duty-free prices. Additional retail outlets include a WHSmith for books, newspapers, magazines and travel accessories, and a Boots pharmacy with a range of healthcare and travel products. The retail offering is appropriately scaled for a regional airport, providing the key passenger essentials without the extensive shopping concourse found at larger facilities.

Luggage:

Left luggage and baggage storage facilities are available at the airport. Passengers requiring short-term storage before or after their flight should enquire at the terminal information desk. Luggage wrapping is also available.

Other:

Airport Lounges: Aberdeen Airport has a passenger lounge in the airside departure area. The lounge, operated by Aspire Airport Lounges, is accessible to all departing passengers regardless of airline or ticket class, either through day-pass purchase, lounge membership programmes such as Priority Pass or DragonPass, or select credit card benefits. The lounge offers complimentary food and drink, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, flight information screens and a quieter environment away from the main departure concourse. Pre-booking is available online and is advisable during peak travel periods to guarantee entry.

Airline-specific lounge access is not widely available at Aberdeen given the airport's size. Passengers travelling in business class on applicable services should check with their airline directly regarding available facilities.

Other facilities at Aberdeen International Airport include mother and baby rooms before and after security. The children's play area is currently undergoing changes as a part of the airport's Terminal Transformation project. An airside smoking area is available after security by the main departure lounge near gate 5. 

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Business facilities are available at The Northern Lights Executive Lounge, with adult tickets costing £25. British Airways and Eastern Airways also operate airline lounges situated in the departures area.

Meeting facilities can be found at several nearby hotels, including the Hallmark Hotel Aberdeen Airport (0330 028 3409, www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk) and Jurys Inn Aberdeen Airport (0871 376 9001, www.jurysinn.com).

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal building. Access is provided on connection through the airport's portal and is available for a limited complimentary period; premium extended access may be purchased. The lounge provides unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi for lounge users.

Disabled facilities:

All public passenger facilities on the ground floor of the main terminal are wheelchair accessible. Lifts and ramps provide access between levels, and accessible toilets are located throughout. Passengers requiring special assistance, including help with mobility, hearing loops or visual impairment support, should notify their airline at least 48 hours before travel to ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place. Assistance is provided from the terminal entrance through to the aircraft. The majority of Aberdeen's public bus services to and from the airport are wheelchair accessible.

Car parking:

Aberdeen Airport offers several car parking options to suit different lengths of stay and budgets. Short-stay parking is located close to the terminal and is priced for brief visits of up to a few hours. Long-stay parking provides lower daily rates for travellers on extended trips and requires a short shuttle transfer to the terminal. Priority parking options are available for those wanting maximum convenience.

Pre-booking parking online through the airport's official website consistently provides better rates than turning up without a reservation, particularly for stays of several days. Prices and availability should be checked via the official Aberdeen Airport website at www.aberdeenairport.com, as rates are subject to change. Disabled badge holders should check the designated accessible parking provision, which is located close to the terminal entrance.

Car rental:

All major car hire companies are represented at Aberdeen Airport, with desks located in the terminal arrivals area. Companies including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Budget offer a full range of vehicle types. Pre-booking online ahead of travel is strongly recommended to secure preferred vehicle categories and the most competitive rates. The M90 and A90 road network from the airport provides quick access to the city centre, and the AWPR ring road gives straightforward routing to Deeside, Speyside, the Aberdeenshire coast and beyond.