THE owners of Aberdeen Airport have deferred expansion plans after revising downwards their forecasts for passenger growth.
A development masterplan published yesterday by BAA predicted the number of people flying from the airport would increase from 3.1 million in 2011 to four million in 2020 – five years later than the forecast included in its previous planning blueprint published in 2006.
Its updated plan, which will be the subject of a three-month consultation, includes a £100 million programme of investment, including lengthening the runway and improving the terminal building, but this has been put off until after 2020.
Derek Provan, managing director of Aberdeen Airport, said the first masterplan had been published at a time of "unprecedented growth" in the aviation industry.
"It was followed by the worst downturn in aviation history, a worldwide slump in demand and the loss of dozens of UK and European airlines, including flyglobespan and Aberdeen- based City Star Airlines," he said.
"Aberdeen Airport was the fastest-growing airport in the UK last year and our forecasts suggest that we will continue to grow over the long term.
"It is vital therefore we put in place a development framework that allows Aberdeen Airport to deliver an enhanced customer experience, improve its international connectivity, and compete effectively in a fast-changing market."
Share