AMANDA McMillan has highlighted her confidence in the long-term prosperity of Aberdeen International Airport, while emphasising she is braced for the current oil price weakness being more than a “short-term blip”.
Aberdeen International Airport’s passenger numbers have tumbled on the back of the oil and gas sector’s woes.
But Ms McMillan, who is chief executive of Aberdeen International Airport owner AGS Airports, said: “Having been at the helm at Glasgow throughout a recession and then coming back through the other side, my views about Aberdeen are we will do the same thing – we will come through it.”
She added: “The secret here is to deal with the oil drop aspect for what it is, but not let that contaminate the whole business model.”
Ms McMillan highlighted new flights out of Aberdeen operated by Icelandair and Wizz Air.
She added: “I think that underscores the fact we have carriers coming into Aberdeen to invest in that leisure side of the business. I wouldn’t want to overstate the issue about oil and gas. It is a hugely successful airport.”
Highlighting a £20 million investment in Aberdeen International Airport, which will increase the size of the terminal building by 50 per cent, she added: “We are seeing a bit of a recoiling with some of the routes and some of the passenger numbers. We have also announced a massive investment…
“It is not all about a dip because of oil.”
Commenting on the oil and gas sector’s woes, which have been triggered by weak crude prices, Ms McMillan said: “I think you would be a brave person to call when you thought the oil price was going to hit a mark that would make everyone feel confident again.
“I think…that $60 a barrel is a number that works globally. It would work for us in Aberdeen.”
She added: “We are bracing ourselves [for the scenario that] it is not a short-term blip, it is more a correction, it will take a bit longer.”
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