Aberdeen Airport hails 'remarkable' 2011 turnaround

Aberdeen Airport hailed the "remarkable" turnaround in its fortunes yesterday.

Figures from airport operator BAA showed the north-east operation handled 3.1million passengers in 2011, up 11.8% on the year before.

Aberdeen said it had experienced 12 consecutive months of growth in a year in which the airport was confirmed as the fastest growing in the UK.

Last year also saw the launch of new flights to Baku, Dublin and Frankfurt and the completion - eight months ahead of schedule - of the £10million runway extension.

Managing director Derek Provan said: "We are absolutely delighted with the airport's strong performance in 2011. I would like to thank those who have supported Aberdeen Airport throughout the past year.

"We are not resting on our laurels, however. We recognise there is more work to do to improve the passenger experience, upgrade the terminal and deliver more international routes to provide more choice for local passengers and support inbound tourism. By continuing to invest in new facilities, and through working in partnership with our airlines and city and shire partners, I'm confident Aberdeen Airport will continue to make a significant contribution to the economic success of this region."

Passenger numbers at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were also on the rise in 2011. Edinburgh was up 9.2% to 9.3million and Glasgow improved 5.1% to 6.8million.

BAA also said a snow-free end to 2011 had helped it to record a 4.4% increase in passengers across its six UK airports last year.

It handled 108.5million passengers in 2011, with numbers at Heathrow rising 5.5% to an annual record of just under 69.4million last year. The London hub had its busiest December so far last month, handling nearly 5.52million travellers.

BAA said there had been a record 476,197 flights at Heathrow: 99.2% of its annual limit of 480,000. It said this meant the capacity constraints at the airport, where the UK Government has ruled out an extra, third runway, were tighter than ever, restricting growth in the economy.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: "As the UK's only international hub airport, Heathrow is central to developing our trade links with fast-growing emerging markets. Capacity constraints are damaging the UK economy today when the country can least afford it.

"A new hub airport has been proposed in south-east England, but this has a projected cost of £50billion and may take decades to build. During this time we would be handing over on a plate the UK's historic trade advantages to our European competitors."