Ryanair returns to Aberdeen International Airport with two new routes

Ryanair makes its return to Aberdeen International Airport with the start of two new routes to Alicante and Malaga starting in February 2017.

Passengers will soon be able to fly via Ryanair to Alicante and Malaga from Aberdeen. The new addition is expected to generate 50,000 customers per year and will become Ryanair’s fourth Scottish airport.

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (6 July) announced its return to Aberdeen with 2 new routes to Alicante and Malaga starting in February 2017, which will deliver 50,000 customers p.a. at Aberdeen International, Ryanair’s 4th Scottish airport.

In Aberdeen, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Robin Kiely said: “We are pleased to announce our return to Aberdeen as we launch two new routes to Alicante and Malaga, beginning in February and operating twice weekly, which will help deliver 50,000 annual customers at Aberdeen Airport. We look forward to working closely with the team at Aberdeen Airport to deliver more routes, traffic and growth in the future.

“While these routes are ideal for holidaymakers, APD remains a continuing barrier to inbound tourism and the development of business routes in Scotland. One need only look at the example of Ireland which saw its annual traffic fall by 7m following the introduction of APD in 2009, only to dramatically rise following its removal in 2014. Ryanair has already confirmed to the Scottish Government the growth opportunities possible if APD is removed in its entirety.”

Aberdeen International Airport Managing Director, Carol Benzie, said:  “This is fantastic news from Ryanair and it clearly demonstrates the opportunity that exists for leisure capacity here in Aberdeen. Earlier this year we undertook a leisure survey in which we asked our local community which destinations they would like to see introduced from their local airport. Our route development team took the survey results to the recent Routes Europe conference in Krakow and Ryanair has responded to this data by introducing services to two of the most requested routes, Alicante and Malaga. The twice weekly, year-round services will commence in February 2017 and we look forward to welcoming Ryanair back to Aberdeen.”

Aberdeen International Airport Terminal Transformation Project

Aberdeen International Airport is currently investing over £20 million to transform is passenger facilities. Phase one of the project is due to commence mid-2016 and completed by June 2017. This phase will see the construction of a two-storey extension to the south of the existing terminal, making space for new arrivals and immigrations facilities, and new business lounges on the upper level. Once complete, the three year project will deliver a 50 percent increase in the size of the terminal building.