Longer runway puts airport on radar

ABERDEEN airport’s new £10 million runway extension is set to generate an additional 205,000 passengers by 2015, create more than 100 jobs and contribute an additional £20.3m to the local economy, according to a new report.

The 124-metre extension to the main runway was officially opened last month – eight months ahead of schedule – as a major part of a £60m scheme to transform the airport into a global gateway for the North-east of Scotland.

A new study, produced by industry experts York Aviation on behalf of Aberdeen airport, claims the extension will provide a major economic windfall and a boost for tourism in the area.

Derek Provan, the airport manager, told business leaders that the new runway had put Aberdeen “back on the radar” by allowing airlines to operate more non-stop services from the North-east without costly and inconvenient fuel stops or payload restrictions.