Key Highlights
Thinking about a holiday to the lovely Orkney Islands? Here’s what to know about Kirkwall Airport.
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Kirkwall Airport (KOI) is the main airport for the Orkney Islands. It gives the area vital connectivity.
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Loganair is the main airline and runs direct flights to Scotland’s mainland and other UK towns.
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The airport is a hub for internal flights to the North Isles. Loganair covers these flights for the Orkney Islands Council.
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You will get all the basic passenger services here. These include car hire, taxis and public transport.
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There are nearby airfields, like North Ronaldsay, to help you reach the wider group of islands.
Introduction
Welcome to your must-have guide for moving through Kirkwall, the entrance to the wonderful Orkney Islands in Scotland. This area, packed with Viking heritage and stunning views, is easier to reach than many people think. No matter if you live here or are visiting and want to see old places, it helps to know about the airport and its links before you start your trip. This guide gives you the information you need for your 2026 travel plans to and from Kirkwall, in the heart of Orkney.
Overview of Kirkwall Airport and Nearby Airports
Kirkwall Airport is the main airport for the Orkney Islands. It is a key part of life for the people who live in or visit this group of islands. The airport has flights that go to mainland Scotland and to other places as well. But is Kirkwall Airport the only airport here?
Kirkwall Airport is the main hub in the area. But the North Isles have several smaller airfields too, like the one on North Ronaldsay. These airfields help with important flights between the isles. They make sure people living in the remote parts of Orkney can get to Kirkwall or elsewhere.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what Kirkwall Airport does and how it links to the rest of the island airfields.
Airport code, location and accessibility
Kirkwall Airport goes by the code KOI. You will use this code when you book flights and check travel info for your trip to Orkney in Scotland. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) owns and looks after kirkwall airport. That makes kirkwall airport an important part of travel in the UK.
Kirkwall airport sits just 2.5 nautical miles or 4.6 km southeast of kirkwall. It is so close to the main town that you can get in and out with ease. The quick trip to the town centre lets you get started on your Orcadian adventure right away.
It is easy to go from kirkwall airport to kirkwall. You can take public buses, use local taxi firms, or hire a car from kirkwall airport. All these travel choices help you move from your flight to your Orkney destination without trouble.
Other airports in Orkney and their connection to Kirkwall
While Kirkwall is the main aviation hub, the Orkney Islands are also served by a network of smaller airfields located on the North Isles. These airfields are vital for daily life, connecting the remote island communities. The Orkney Islands Council manages these internal air services, which are operated by Loganair.
These routes connect Kirkwall to islands like Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay, and Westray. For instance, the flight between Westray and Papa Westray is famously the world’s shortest scheduled flight. These services are a lifeline for residents and a unique travel experience for visitors exploring the wider archipelago.
Even Fair Isle, though administratively separate, has an airfield (FFD) and maintains connections that are part of the broader island network. The busiest of these smaller routes from Kirkwall is to North Ronaldsay (NRL).
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Island Airfield |
Airport Code |
|---|---|
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Eday |
EOI |
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North Ronaldsay |
NRL |
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Papa Westray |
PPW |
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Sanday |
NDY |
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Stronsay |
SOY |
|
Westray |
WRY |
Airlines and Destinations from Kirkwall
When you fly to or from the Orkney Islands, you will mostly fly with Loganair. This is the main airline in Scotland and they run nearly all the regular passenger flights from Kirkwall Airport. This makes Loganair the main air carrier in this area. These flights are very important as they link Orkney to the rest of the United Kingdom.
From Kirkwall, there are direct flights to some big cities in Scotland, and in some seasons you can fly to more places. Loganair also looks after the flights that go between the smaller Scottish islands and Kirkwall, so people can move from one Orkney island to another.
Now, let’s look at the local routes and see which airlines run the flights within Orkney.
Domestic and international routes
Kirkwall Airport helps people stay connected to the mainland part of the UK. Loganair runs many flights on domestic routes. These direct flights are important for those living in Orkney, and they make things easy for tourists. The busiest flights from Kirkwall link Orkney with big airports in Scotland. This makes travel simple for both locals and visitors.
The main airport has flights all through the year to key UK cities. There are regular flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. These three are the top picks from Kirkwall Airport. You can also fly to Inverness and Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands.
Loganair gives more choice as well by having flights to more places in the busy travel time. Some routes work only in certain times, and some connect travellers to other parts.
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Belfast City: This route connects from Inverness.
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London Heathrow: This is a seasonal flight that gives a direct link to the largest airport in the UK.
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Manchester: This trip runs as an extension of the Inverness route.
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Bergen, Norway: A seasonal flight takes people from Orkney to Norway in Scandinavia.
Airlines operating internal flights within Orkney
Loganair is the only airline that runs regular flights within the Orkney Islands from Kirkwall. The airline operates these flights for the Orkney Islands Council. This helps connect the smaller North Isles to the main island. These routes are among the most unique anywhere in the world.
These flights connect Kirkwall to many small islands. They offer an important service for people living there and give visitors a special way to see Orkney. The short flights show travellers the beautiful Orkney landscape. For many people, it is the best part of the trip. Places such as Papa Westray’s tough coast and the shores of North Ronaldsay can be reached fast. Flying is the quickest way to get around.
The internal flight service from Kirkwall runs to a range of islands across the Orkney archipelago.
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Eday
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North Ronaldsay
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Papa Westray
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Sanday
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Stronsay
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Westray
Facilities and Services at Kirkwall Airport
Even though Kirkwall is not very big, it is a busy airport. The airport has many things to make your trip smooth. If you come to see Orkney’s beautiful landscape, or if you are leaving after your stay, the terminal has what you need.
You will find modern amenities and friendly staff. The airport always tries to give an enhanced security experience. This helps both tourists and people from Orkney feel safe and comfortable. It makes sure things keep moving well.
Let’s look at the terminal amenities and ways to get around at the airport.
Terminal amenities and passenger support
The terminal at Kirkwall Airport is made to be a comfortable and easy place for all travellers. There is a warm feeling here, whether you are one of the plenty of locals passing through or you are a visitor keen to see the ancient cathedral. The airport team does its best to give good support to every passenger.
You can relax before your flight because there are useful facilities. The cafe offers you a drink or some food, and there is a shop for things you might need at the last minute, or for souvenirs. Kirkwall Airport also gives help to passengers with reduced mobility, making sure it is open to everyone.
Key amenities and support services include:
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Cafe and Shop: Get food, drinks, or do a bit of shopping.
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Reduced Mobility Assistance: You can pre-book support if you need help moving around.
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Information Desk: Ask about your flight or what to do in Kirkwall.
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Wi-Fi: Keep in touch while you wait for your flight.
Car hire and transport options
Yes, you can get a car to hire right at Kirkwall Airport. It is simple to start your trip around the Orkney Islands from here. There are known car hire companies with desks inside the terminal. You can pick up your car soon after you land. It is good to book before you get there, especially during busy times.
If you do not want to drive, you will find taxis outside the arrivals area. A taxi is quick and can take you straight to Kirkwall or your place to stay. You can also use public transport. Buses connect the airport to many main places on the island. Up-to-date bus times are on the Orkney Islands Council website.
If you plan to see the other islands, Kirkwall has links to the ferry network. Here is a look at your travel options:
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Car Hire: There are many providers inside the terminal.
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Taxi: You can get a taxi for rides straight from the airport.
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Public Bus: This is a lower-cost way to get to Kirkwall and other places.
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Ferry Connections: The airport gives you good links to ferry terminals for trips between the islands.
Flight Arrivals, Departures, and Operational Information
Keeping track of your flight at Kirkwall Airport helps your travel day go well. You can check live arrivals and departures quickly on the airport’s website. This is useful if you are leaving, meeting someone, or catching another flight.
If you want more technical details, you can go to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority or NATS. NATS gives the UK’s Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and has deeper information. Still, for most days, you will find the airport website easiest to use.
Keep reading to find out where to check flight times and see when the airport opens.
Checking arrivals and departures
The best way to check live flight arrivals and departures at Kirkwall Airport is to go to the official airport website. The site has special pages for both arrivals and departures. The information is kept up to date all the time. On these pages, you can see the flight number, where it is coming from or going to, the set time, and the latest status, like ‘Landed’ or ‘Departed’.
This makes it very useful if you are planning a trip. If you are picking someone up, you can see if their flight is running on time before you head out. If you are about to fly from Kirkwall Airport, you can check your flight’s status before you leave for the airport. Since Loganair runs most flights from kirkwall, their website can give you good updates as well.
To keep things simple, here is what you need to do:
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Visit the ‘Arrivals & Departures’ section on the Kirkwall Airport website.
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Look for your flight by using the flight number.
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Check the status column for the latest news on your flight.
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You can also use the Loganair website for any news from the airline.
Opening hours and safety information
Kirkwall Airport changes its opening hours to match when flights are set to go. It’s a good idea to go to the airport’s website to check the latest times before your trip. Usually, the terminal will be open before the first flight leaves and will close after the last flight gets in each day. These hours may be different on weekends or public holidays.
Safety and doing the job well are main concerns at Kirkwall Airport in Orkney. The airport has been around for a long time. It used to be called RAF Grimsetter, made for the defence of the Scapa Flow naval base. This strong focus on safety still drives the airport today. The fire service at Kirkwall makes sure flights are safe. Also, they help bring firefighting and rescue skills to young people in the community.
If you need more details about how kirkwall airport works or its safety steps, look at what Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) and the Orkney Islands Council publish. These have a lot of important information for pilots and people working in aviation. Passengers can feel sure that kirkwall airport in orkney runs to the highest safety level.
Getting to and from Kirkwall Airport
When you arrive at Kirkwall Airport, you will see there are easy ways to reach your next place in the Orkney Islands. The airport links well to Kirkwall and other main spots around, so your trip can be quick and smooth.
You can pick from a taxi, public transport, or a hire car. Each of these can be the best option for you. It is good to plan how you travel before you land to make your start in Orkney simple.
Let’s talk about how to use public transport, hire a taxi, and get to Kirkwall from the airport.
Public transport and taxi options
Getting from Kirkwall Airport is simple because the buses and taxis are good. If you want to save money, the public bus goes from the airport to Kirkwall town centre and other places in Orkney. The bus stop is right outside the terminal. You can see the newest bus times on the Orkney Islands Council website.
If you like a quick and private ride, taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at the taxi rank. The trip to Kirkwall centre takes about 10 minutes. It’s smart to book your taxi early, like when you come on a late flight or when a lot of people travel.
Your ways to go from Kirkwall Airport are:
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Public Bus: A cheap way to get from the airport to Kirkwall.
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Taxi: A fast and easy way to get to your place.
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Car Hire: You get the most freedom to see Orkney Islands.
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Ferry Connections: It’s simple to reach the ferry terminals from the airport if you want to go to other islands.
Access to Kirkwall town centre
Getting from the airport to the Kirkwall town centre is fast and simple. It is just under 3 miles away. The taxi is often the fastest way, taking about 10 minutes if there is not much traffic. This is a good choice if you have a lot of bags or want to get to your place to stay without waiting.
You can also take the public bus. The bus is run by the Orkney Islands Council and goes straight from the airport to the Kirkwall Travel Centre. It is a cheaper way to travel. You will also get to see some of the Orkney Islands as you ride into town.
When you are in Kirkwall, you will be set to see its old streets. You can look at famous places like St. Magnus Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace. Kirkwall is the main place on the Orkney Islands. You will find shops, restaurants, and easy ways to go to other parts of Orkney.
Conclusion
To sum up, Kirkwall Airport is the main way to get in and out of the lovely Orkney Islands. It makes it easy for people to go to and come from other places in the UK and many places around the world. The airport is easy to get to and there are airlines and key services here for you. This helps make your journeys smooth. When you get ready for your trip, remember that how you get to and from Kirkwall Airport matters too. There are different ways to travel which can help you reach the airport or get out to Orkney quickly. No matter if you visit for fun or work, know about what the airport gives you to enjoy your time around Kirkwall and the rest of Orkney Islands. If you want things to be easy for you, book a free meeting with our travel experts today and travel with no stress!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there car hire services at Kirkwall Airport?
Yes, you can get a car at Kirkwall Airport. There are many car hire firms with desks in the terminal building. This makes it easy to pick up your car when you get there. If you do not want a car, you can also take a taxi. The Orkney Islands Council website has details about public transport in the Orkney Islands.
What is the airport code for Kirkwall Airport?
The airport code for Kirkwall Airport is KOI. You use this three-letter IATA code to book flights. KOI is for the main airport serving Kirkwall and the Orkney Islands in Scotland, UK. If you want to fly to Orkney, you will need this code.
Is Kirkwall Airport the only airport serving the area?
Kirkwall Airport is the main airport in the Orkney Islands. It is not the only airport there. The North Isles also have smaller airfields, like the ones on North Ronaldsay and Westray. These are used to link the smaller islands in the group of islands to the main hub at Kirkwall.