Aberdeen International
Aberdeen Airport opened in 1934, a link between the northern islands of Scotland and London. During the Second World War it was a military base, and, with the discovery of oil in the North Sea in the late 1960s became host to workers in the oil and gas industry.
Today, it is the world’s biggest heliport. The Main Terminal was opened in 1977 and the airport has four runways (one fixed wing, three helicopter) to accommodate its 3 million annual passengers. The Main Terminal building has two floors, Check-In on the ground, and Departure Lounges on the first floor. Arrivals is to the right of the concourse, with baggage claim located next to Arrivals.
There are about 20 airlines offering flights from Aberdeen including BA, easyJet, Flybe and KLM. The airport is operated by the British Airports Authority, and is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
View Aberdeen International (ABZ) Airport Guide
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Belfast City
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is a mere 3 miles (5km) from central Belfast, Northern Ireland’s largest city (second only to Dublin in size). The airport was renamed in 2006 in honor of George Best, the legendary footballer from Belfast, who played for Manchester United.
Flights to George Best Belfast City Airport arrive from the UK and major cities in France and Spain. Annually, the airport sees more than 3 million passengers.
Despite the small size of the airport (a single runway) the airport is well-kept and efficient and staff are friendly. However, the parking here is notoriously expensive so use the public transport options if possible.
View Belfast City (BHD) Airport Guide
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Belfast International
Belfast International Airport is situated just 13 miles (21km) northwest of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital. It’s Ireland’s second-busiest airport, after Dublin. The airport is the gateway to Northern Ireland and Belfast, a city steeped in a rich and once troubled history.
Belfast International Airport was originally named the Aldergrove Airport after a nearby village. In 1983, it became Belfast International Airport. With the passing of the Troubles, Belfast – and Northern Ireland – has been working hard to establish itself as a tourist destination.
One way of making its mark for tourists is by housing popular low-cost carriers such as Thomson Airways, Jet2.com, easyJet, Thomas Cook Airlines and Aer Lingus. Belfast is becoming increasingly popular as a weekend break and cheap flights to Belfast International Airport can be booked on most European carriers, but particularly on the low-cost airlines.
The Guardian/Observer Travel Awards placed Belfast in the top five best cities for a break. Belfast Airport is the ideal gateway to a relaxing and rewarding holiday in Northern Ireland.
View Belfast International (BFS) Airport Guide
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Birmingham
Birmingham Airport, which was known as Birmingham International Airport until November 2010, is nestled in England’s West Midlands. This well serviced and easy to navigate airport is just six miles (10km) from central Birmingham and is an increasingly popular departure point for cheap flights in or out of Britain.
Although Birmingham is one of the largest cities in Britain, the airport itself avoids the hustle and bustle of many larger airports and instead offers passengers a decent range of shopping and dining options without being too overwhelming. Birmingham Airport has recently merged its two terminals into a single terminal building in order to streamline passenger movements and prepare for a planned increase in traffic.
Birmingham Airport is a hub for low-cost airlines such as bmi, Flybe, Ryanair, Monarch, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways. Passengers can use Birmingham to fly to many destinations in Europe and there are often cheap flights to Birmingham International Airport from the Middle East, North America, the Caribbean and India as well.
Birmingham Airport is well connected to various transport facilities running to a number of cities across the United Kingdom. It’s a popular airport for low-cost carriers and the facilities available at the airport are great for all types of travelers ranging from shopaholics to businessmen or parents traveling with their kids.
View Birmingham (BHX) Airport Guide
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City
London City Airport (LCY) is a single-runway airport that serves London's financial district. It is sometimes referred to as a STOLport, meaning that the airlines serving the airport operate on a Short Take Off and Landing basis.
Located on a former Docklands site, flights to London City Airport are usually booked by business people looking to gain quick access to the major financial district of Canary Wharf. However, the number of leisure travelers using London City Airport is increasing every year – especially during ski season, when flights to Zurich, Geneva and Milan are especially popular.
Just 6 miles (10km) from the city-center, London City Airport offers very easy transport links for passengers looking to access London's CBD. In fact, in the July 2008 issue of Business Traveler magazine, London City Airport was voted as having the “best public transport links in the world.”
The airport is currently in the process of expanding and upgrading its terminal and runway facilities, and aims to be able to handle 8 million passengers per year by 2030. London City Airport is just 3km (2 miles) from the site of the 2012 Olympic Games – a fact which is sure to see its passenger traffic increase.
Note that London City Airport is not open 24 hours a day and keeps the following schedule: Monday to Friday from 5am to 10pm, Saturday from 5am to 1pm, and Sunday from 11am to 10:20pm.
View City (LCY) Airport Guide
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Coventry International
Although it was the venue for a mass presided over by Pope John Paul II in 1982, Coventry Airport (CVT) has had a troubled recent history. In 2007, a contentious plan to build permanent passenger terminal facilities was rejected by the High Court , which was followed by financial problems leading to the airport being closed down in 2009.
However, there are signs of recovery at Coventry Airport, with the Midlands hub being re-opened in 2010 as a commercial airport. Please note that the information contained in this guide is subject to change.
View Coventry International (CVT) Airport Guide
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East Midlands
Nottingham East Midlands Airport (EMA) is situated 11 miles (18km) from Derby, within easy reach of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby by road and public transport.
The hub for low-cost carriers bmibaby and Ryanair, flights to Nottingham East Midlands Airport come in from around Europe, including Spain (Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Tenerife and Fuerteventura). Other busy routes to and from Nottingham East Midlands Airport are Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
EMA has received several awards in recent years including World’s Leading Eco Friendly Airport and Best Regional Airport (British Travel Award 2010) however many users report that increased traffic and lack of investment in infrastructure has led to long queues for security and cramped waiting areas. The airport has added facilities as needed, meaning things are spread out and often confusing to find.
View East Midlands (EMA) Airport Guide
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Edinburgh
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is the busiest airport in Scotland, located less than 6 miles (9.3km) west of the city center. With trains and buses going into town at all hours, the airport is a convenient gateway to the UK's Festival City. If you’re planning on booking a flight to Edinburgh during Fringe season do it as far in advance as possible.
The original terminal was built in the 1970s, however it has been upgraded in recent years and a program of expansion is underway. The arrivals and departure terminals are under one roof, albeit on different floors, so connecting to other flights is fairly hassle-free. However, the security check points are often over capacity at peak times.
There are several restaurants, book shops and an art gallery, and the facilities are generally clean and well-maintained. The airport is also well-signed, so you should have no trouble getting around the building.
View Edinburgh (EDI) Airport Guide
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Gatwick
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the United Kingdom's second-busiest international airport in terms of passenger traffic. Despite its sizeable distance from central London – it is situated north of Crawley, about 28 miles (45km) from the capital's CBD – great transport links to and from the airport ensure that it remains an incredibly popular entry-point for visitors to the UK.
In fact, London Gatwick saw 31.3 million passengers in 2010, making it Europe's ninth-busiest airport, and the continent's leading airport for point-to-point flights. This impressive traffic is sure only to increase with the 2012 Olympic Games in London next summer.
Flights to London Gatwick Airport are offered by a variety of operators, including charter airlines such as Monarch and Thomson Airways, low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Flybe, and more established airlines, like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The huge range of international destinations you can access from Gatwick is illustrated by the diversity of its seven most-popular flights: Malaga, Dublin, Orlando, Alicante, Faro, Dubai, and Geneva.
View Gatwick (LGW) Airport Guide
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Glasgow International
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is located 8 miles (13km) southwest of Glasgow's city center. It is the second-busiest airport in Scotland and one of the busiest in the UK with more than 6 million passengers using it each year. Almost 30 airlines are based there, a mix of traditional, budget and charter carriers.
The terminal has three piers: West (international), Central (domestic) and East (low-cost, Ireland and Scottish islands). A “Skyhub” was created in 2007, connecting the main terminal and terminal two, which created space for an extended duty-free shopping area.
The airport has seen some improvements in recent years and runs well, with security moving at a reasonable pace and shopping and dining options on the rise. Despite it being an international facility, the airport is still on the small side, so pack a book or charge your mobile if you expect to have a lot of time on your hands.
View Glasgow International (GLA) Airport Guide
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