Latest news with #AberdeenAirport
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
US military choppers spotted over Scots city ahead of Trump visit
Several military chinook helicopters were spotted over Aberdeen on Tuesday afternoon. US military aircraft have been spotted flying over Aberdeen as preparations ramp up for Donald Trump's return to Scotland later this week. The former US President is expected to touch down in the north-east to unveil a second golf course at his Balmedie resort and meet with both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during the high-profile visit. Locals were left stunned on Tuesday afternoon as a fleet of Chinook helicopters flew over Torry Battery and Aberdeen Harbour. The helicopters - believed to be part of the advance security detail - later landed at Aberdeen Airport. Flight tracking data shows they travelled from Cambridge and arrived in the Granite City around 12.30pm. While Trump's exact schedule remains under wraps, a major security operation is already underway, with Police Scotland warning of mass protests and the biggest police deployment since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Officers are bracing for demonstrations in Aberdeen, Ayrshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh, mirroring the widespread backlash seen during Trump's first term in office. Meanwhile, the Sand Bothy in Balmedie has announced it will be closed to the public from July 28 to 30 due to "access restrictions". In a statement, the volunteer-run group said: 'We understand this may cause inconvenience for some. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support. "We have received no additional information beyond what has already been publicly shared and are therefore unable to comment on the nature or details of the visit." The timing of the closure has sparked speculation Trump may head to Turnberry in Ayrshire first, before making his way north later in the week. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Police Scotland confirmed they will draw on mutual aid from other forces across the UK for the operation - codenamed Operation Roll - with insiders saying hundreds, if not thousands, of officers will be involved. The force's entire team of police liaison officers is expected to be deployed for the visit.
Press and Journal
14-07-2025
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen Airport holiday-makers could be breathalysed in drink-driving crackdown
Arrivals at Aberdeen Airport could be subject to a breathalyser test in a bid to stamp out drink-driving. The new police project, dubbed Operation Safe Landing, has already kicked off with some already stopped for various offences after leaving the Dyce facility. In addition to drink and drug-drivers, others have already been stopped for careless driving, using a mobile phone and for vehicle defects. An increased police presence will also be felt at the airport. The initiative was launched to help make sure vacationers do not 'put themselves or others at risk' after touching down in Dyce. Police say that the pilot project launched in Aberdeen could potentially be rolled out to other areas. Border Policing Inspector Kelly Manson said: 'We understand that for many, a drink on a flight can be part of the holiday experience. 'However, the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is strict, and the effects of alcohol, coupled with potential travel fatigue, can significantly impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. 'This is about ensuring everyone arriving at the airport gets home safely, without putting themselves or others at risk. 'This pilot project will be evaluated with a view to rolling it out to other areas.' Drink-driving can lead to a 12-month driving ban and a £5,000 fine. Road Policing Inspector Steve Manson added: 'If you choose to drink alcohol on your flight, please make safe arrangements for your journey from the airport. 'Drink-driving kills and seriously injures people. The decision can be life-changing for you and the people around you.' Aberdeen Airport officials say they welcome the new initiative. Robert Paterson, Head of Operations at Aberdeen International Airport, said: 'We welcome the introduction of Operation Safe Landing. 'Passenger safety is always a key focus for us.' The airport was recently crowned Airport of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish airport crowned best in the UK for summer 2025 and it's not Edinburgh
Two airports in Scotland are included on the roundup - but our biggest hub didn't make the cut. Scotland's top airports have been named ahead of the peak of summer, with one city hub being crowned the best in the whole of the UK. Transport operator hoppa has shared a list of the top 10 airports across the British Isles. The experts considered a range of factors, including average delays, percentage of cancelled flights, and parking charges. Coming in at number one on hoppa's list is Glasgow Airport with an overall airport score of 9.21 out of 10. According to the experts, the airport is "the best choice for fast and affordable travel in the UK". It was found that flights at Glasgow Airport have an average delay of 9.6 minutes. Meanwhile, just 7.66 per cent of flights are affected by delays over 30 minutes. According to hoppa, parking at Glasgow Airport is accessible for all budgets. The average cost of parking at the airport, which borders Paisley and Renfrew south-west of the city, was found to be £13.20 per day. Inside the airport, passengers can relax in one of four lounges for as little as £22. These include the "stylish" Upper Deck and Lomond, while Glasgow Airport also has British Airways and Emirates lounges for flyers using these airlines. The only other Scottish airport to appear on hoppa's roundup is Aberdeen Airport, which places at number seven. It received an Airport Score of 7.38 out of 10. The experts found that the average delay of flights at Aberdeen Airport is 10.7 minutes, while 8.13 per cent of flights are delayed by more than 30 minutes. According to hoppa, 4.04 per cent of flights at the airport are cancelled. Meanwhile, the average cost of parking at Aberdeen Airport is £14.42 per day. There are also two lounges at the airport according to the experts. Elsewhere, the second best airport in the UK after Glasgow Airport is Heathrow Airport in London. The UK's biggest airport received an Airport Score of 9.01 out of 10. Managing Director at hoppa Chris Harrington commented: "Our ranking of the UK's top 10 best airports accounts for the most important considerations for a stress-free airport experience, including average delay times and the likelihood of cancellations. "Glasgow Airport reigns supreme, with an average flight delay of just 9.6 minutes, and less than 8 per cent of flights are affected by delays of over 30 minutes. "Parking is another factor we considered for our index as specialists in airport transfers, and we believe that searching for a suitable parking space can add unnecessary anxiety to your journey. Pre-booked airport transfers eliminate those uncertainties. "A door-to-door transfer gives you control and peace of mind with fixed pricing and timing. It also eliminates the worry of meeting airport shuttle times and is ideal for family and business travellers alike." See below for the full list of the UK's best airports. More information can be found on the hoppa website. The UK's top 10 best airports of 2025 Glasgow Heathrow Gatwick Luton Belfast International Manchester Aberdeen Stansted Leeds Bradford East Midlands International
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Two Scots airports named in top 10 best in UK list – and neither are Edinburgh
TRAVEL experts analysed air hubs across the UK, comparing the best and worst for average flights per day, average delays, cancelled flights, and flights delayed by 30 minutes or more SKY HIGH Two Scots airports named in top 10 best in UK list – and neither are Edinburgh Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GLASGOW Airport has been named as the best in the UK and another Scots hub has been named in the top 10. The airport has been hailed as the first choice for fast and affordable travel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Glasgow Airport has been ranked as the best in the UK Credit: Alamy 2 Aberdeen Airport was also ranked in the top 10 air hubs in the UK Credit: Alamy Travel experts analysed air hubs across the UK, comparing the best and worst for average flights per day, average delays, cancelled flights, and flights delayed by 30 minutes or more. Staff at the ground transport firm hoppa also took into account the number of airport links, lounges, parking cost per day and scored the airports out of 10. With a rating of 9.21 out of 10, Glasgow Airport came out on top, The study found the airport has around 158 arrivals and departures per day, with an average flight delay time of 9.6 minutes. Just 2.01 per cent of flights are cancelled and the airport is linked to 63 others in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Glasgow Airport also has four lounges for passengers to relax in and the cheapest daily parking cost is £13.20. Heathrow, the biggest and busiest airport in the UK, ranked second. The sprawling international transport hub scored 9.01 out of 10. The massive airport accommodates around 1,269 arrivals and departures each day, with an average delay time of 10.5 minutes. Only 1.98 per cent of flights are called off and 8.80 per cent of flights are delayed by 30 minutes or more. The thrilling family event starting in Scotland - it's ideal for dino-loving kids Heathrow has connections with 207 other destinations and there are eight lounges and the cheapest daily parking cost is £27.17. Another air hub north of the border, Aberdeen Airport, ranked in the top 10. The northeast site scored 7.38 out of 10. There are around 73 arrivals and departures at Aberdeen Airport per day, with the average delay of 10.7 minutes. Just 4.04 per cent of flights are cancelled and only 8.13 per cent of services are delayed by half an hour or more. The airport is linked with 28 other destinations, it has two lounges and the cheapest daily parking cost is £14.42. However, Edinburgh, Scotland's busiest airport, missed out on the top 10. Gatwick came third, Luton fourth, Belfast fifth, Manchester sixth, Stansted eighth, and Leeds Bradford and East Midlands came joint ninth. Out of the 22 UK airports analysed, Exeter ranks as the worst with a score of 3.36 out of 10. Chris Harrington, managing director at hoppa, said: "Our ranking of the UK's top 10 best airports accounts for the most important considerations for a stress-free airport experience, including average delay times and the likelihood of cancellations. "Glasgow airport reigns supreme, with an average flight delay of just 9.6 minutes, and less than 8% of flights are affected by delays of over 30 minutes. 'Parking is another factor we considered for our index as specialists in airport transfers, and we believe that searching for a suitable parking space can add unnecessary anxiety to your journey. Pre-booked airport transfers eliminate those uncertainties. 'A door-to-door transfer gives you control and peace of mind with fixed pricing and timing. It also eliminates the worry of meeting airport shuttle times and is ideal for family and business travellers alike.' Copenhagen Airport ranks as the best airport in Europe with a score of 9.46 out of 10. The airport has the lowest average departure delay in Europe, at just eight minutes, and arrival delays average only nine minutes. Stockholm Arlanda offers the cheapest daily parking of all airports analysed - both in the UK and abroad - at just €7.85 (£6.71). Palma, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Budapest, Rome, Dusseldorf, and Barcelona make up the other top 10 airports in Europe outside of the UK.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Engine fire caused Loganair flight to make emergency landing
The Loganair aircraft, carrying 30 passengers, was en route to Sumburgh in Shetland on July 23 last year when it was diverted to Aberdeen Airport due to the incident. The crew onboard issued a mayday alert and successfully extinguished the fire. READ MORE: Opening date revealed for new Rangers bar with 'BIG' event planned Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated upon landing. According to a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the aircraft had departed Glasgow Airport at 11.30am. Around 12.00pm, the pilot reported hearing a 'big thump' or 'muffled bang', immediately followed by the aircraft yawing to the left, prompting the autopilot to intervene. The AAIB investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a fuel leak, the result of a loose fuel return line, which led to a blaze within the engine cowlings. READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly shares classic Glaswegian response to TV bosses after being axed In its findings, the AAIB stated: "Whilst in the cruise, the aircraft suffered a contained failure of the number one engine and a subsequent fire inside its cowlings due to a leak from the fuel return line which had become sufficiently loose following the engine failure to result in fuel leakage. "The flight crew correctly followed the checklist procedures to shut down the engine, and the fire was extinguished. "The aircraft landed without further incident. "Although this is the only known instance of this fuel line becoming loose, the aircraft manufacturer has commenced a safety review to identify any possible safety actions which would further reduce the likelihood of leakage from the fuel return line." A Loganair spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the report published this morning concerning an event from 2024. "While the recommended actions are on the engine manufacturer, we will continue to work with all parties involved to support as is appropriate. "We thank our pilots and cabin crew who acted in an exemplary manner. As always, the health and safety of our customers and staff are our highest priority.'
