Scotland's airports have become near-deserted as the country enters its second week of 'stay at home' restrictions, with most commercial flights suspended. However, terminals remain open to support essential services, including lifeline links to the Highlands and Islands, air ambulances, and helicopter connections for offshore oil and gas platforms.
From Wednesday, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports will shut down most operations, moving into public service mode. Aberdeen, now the busiest Scottish airport, saw passenger numbers plummet from 10,000 daily to just 86 on Sunday. Managing director Steve Szalay said the focus is on keeping vital links open for oil and gas workers, air ambulances, and medical flights from the Highlands and Islands.
Edinburgh Airport expects passenger numbers to drop to nearly zero, down 95% from last year. Operations have been consolidated, retail outlets closed, and capital projects deferred. British Airways continues repatriation flights, with six flights scheduled on Tuesday. Other airlines still operating include Qatar Airways, Ryanair, KLM, and Wizzair.
Glasgow Airport supports repatriation flights and maintains domestic routes with BA, KLM, Aer Lingus, and Ryanair, plus Loganair's Highlands and Islands services. On Tuesday, only eight flights operated. HIAL, which includes Inverness and island airports, closed terminals to scheduled flights but runs a skeleton schedule for essential services like NHS transfers and Royal Mail.
Prestwick Airport remains open for cargo, serving as a vital link in the UK supply chain. Staff across airports have been furloughed under the government's job retention scheme, with AGS furloughing about 40 staff in Aberdeen.
