ITS booming economy has already seen rising house prices and employment higher than the national average.
Now Aberdeen's vibrant oil industry is being pinpointed for a surge in the number of passengers at the city's airport, making it the fastest-growing in the UK.
It saw 2.8 million people coming through its doors between January 1 and November 30 this year, 9.5% up on the same period in 2010.
Aberdeen's nearest rival in terms of growth was Edinburgh Airport which had a 6.5% rise –although it handled more passengers, nine million, last year.
Manchester was next with a 6% increase in passenger numbers. Heathrow saw a 3.7% rise while Scatsta Airport in Shetland, which mainly serves the offshore industry, experienced 3.6% growth, the same as London City.
Passenger numbers at Glasgow grew by 3.2% to seven million.
Only airports that handle more than 100,000 passengers a year were included in the report, which was compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Aberdeen Airport's soaring number of travellers could be boosted further after a £10 million extension to the main run-way was completed in October.
Experts have predicted the 135-yard extension will generate millions of pounds for the local economy and provide a boost for inbound tourism.
A recent report into the airport expansion said it could generate £20.3m for the city and create an additional 110 jobs by 2015.
It is also expected to lead to as many as 30,000 extra visitors to the region every year.
Bob Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "The confirmation it's the UK's fastest growing airport, and the consistent good performance, is testimony to the benefits which the huge private sector capital investment at Aberdeen Airport has brought to the wider local economy.
"The runway extension will continue to be a significant growth factor and the airport has to be commended for its commitment to fund this major piece of transport infrastructure because it has opened the doors to significant opportunities for developing new routes from Aberdeen.
"The figures also demonstrate the importance of the airport and its global connections to this region, and underlines why it must be supported by improvements to, and investment in, other significant transport infrastructure projects."
The airport's managing director Derek Provan said it had been a very good year but that challenges lie ahead. One of the main aims next year will be to attract more routes.
He also called for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be devolved to help passengers and the aviation industry.
He said: "Air Passenger Duty in its current form will damage tourism and weaken Scotland's competitiveness.
"Despite our best efforts, it would seem the Government is pushing ahead with APD as originally intended.
"We call for the tax to be devolved to the Scottish Government where we feel any revenues raised would be pushed back into helping support the aviation industry and attract new routes."
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