Key Highlights
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Sumburgh Airport is the main airport for the Shetland Islands. It acts as an important link to the UK mainland.
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You can find it at the southern tip of the mainland. When you arrive, you will get stunning views of dramatic cliffs.
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Loganair flights are the main operator for passenger services. They connect Shetland to different cities.
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Highlands and Islands Airports Limited manages the airport. It also supports key work with the Coastguard Agency.
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Sumburgh has a special feature—a public road runs across one of its runways. This is controlled by a level crossing.
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As well as normal flights, the airport helps with travel between islands. It also welcomes private aircraft.
Introduction
Welcome to your guide to Sumburgh Airport (LSI). This is the main airport for the Shetland Islands. The Shetland Islands are northeast of mainland Scotland. This group of islands is part of the UK. You will find that the Shetland Islands are famous for their Viking background and stunning views. People come here for the beauty, or for work. Sumburgh Airport is where almost all trips start. This guide will help you know what to do for a good journey into or out of Sumburgh and the Shetland Islands.
Sumburgh Airport Overview
Sumburgh Airport is the main airport for the Shetland Islands. It sits at the south end of the biggest island, called Mainland. You can find it looking out over the large North Sea. The airport helps the Shetland Islands stay in touch with other parts of the UK and other countries.
Sumburgh Airport is important for more than just visitors. It is a key place for people who live here, businesses, and those who run services that we all need. In the parish of Dunrossness, it gives people work and links us to the mainland. The airport means a lot for the area and helps support life in Shetland.
Location and Accessibility in the Shetland Islands
You will find Sumburgh Airport at the southern tip of the mainland, which is the biggest island in the Shetland Islands. This airport is in the parish of Dunrossness. People who travel through Sumburgh Airport get stunning views of the North Sea and the coastline, both when they land and when they take off.
One thing that makes Sumburgh Airport stand out is runway 09/27. The runway crosses the main A970 road. To keep everyone safe, there is a level crossing with barriers, just like you see at a railway. The barriers stop cars for a short time so that planes can use the runway. This is something you do not see often, and it is something many remember after visiting.
This special setup shows the smart work needed to run an airport in the Shetland. Because Sumburgh sits here, it is the main place where most people come and go by plane in Shetland. It lets you reach the southern tip of the mainland right away when you arrive.
The Role of Sumburgh Airport in Regional Travel
Sumburgh Airport does much more than help people travel. It is the main place that helps connect Shetland to mainland Scotland and the rest of the UK. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited is the group that runs it. They make sure everything meets high civil aviation rules and that people get the right level of service.
The airport is needed for many main jobs. It is where the Coastguard Agency works from. They help keep people safe at sea and go out for rescues near Shetland. It is also where Royal Mail sends and gets post, so mail and packages move between Shetland and the mainland without delay. This is key for many people and businesses.
Sumburgh Airport also helps the oil and gas business offshore in the North Sea. It sends helicopters to factories at sea and brings them back. With all these tasks, the airport is a big help to the Shetland economy. Sumburgh is there for the community and shows that it does much more than just take in tourists.
Airlines and Destinations
When you plan your trip to the Shetland Islands, you will see that Sumburgh Airport has good links to important places in the UK. The main airline for people who want to fly is Loganair. This is Scotland’s airline and it has many flights you can choose from.
Loganair flights connect Sumburgh with big cities in Scotland. At some times of year, there are also flights to places farther away, like London City. This means it is easier now to get to the Shetland Islands. Next, we will talk about the flight routes and show how you can book your trip.
Operating Airlines and Flight Routes
Loganair is the sole airline operating scheduled passenger flights to and from Sumburgh Airport (LSI). This airline provides a comprehensive network of routes, making it the go-to carrier for anyone travelling to Shetland. The flights connect the islands with several key destinations across Scotland and England.
Year-round services are available to Scottish cities including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Kirkwall. These routes are essential for both residents and visitors. In addition, Loganair offers seasonal flights that expand the airport’s reach, including services to Dundee, Manchester, and even London City, which started in June 2022.
Below is a summary of the main destinations you can fly to from Sumburgh.
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Destination |
Country |
Type of Service |
|---|---|---|
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Aberdeen |
Scotland |
Year-round |
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Edinburgh |
Scotland |
Year-round |
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Glasgow |
Scotland |
Year-round |
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Inverness |
Scotland |
Year-round |
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Kirkwall |
Scotland |
Year-round |
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Dundee |
Scotland |
Seasonal |
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London City |
England |
Seasonal |
|
Manchester |
England |
Seasonal |
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Bergen |
Norway |
Seasonal |
Booking Direct and Connecting Flights to Sumburgh
Booking your flight to Sumburgh, the main airport on Shetland, is easy. The best way to book a direct flight is to visit the Loganair website because they are the main operator for passenger flights to the island. You can check times, look at different ticket prices, and finish your booking online.
If you are coming from another part of the UK or from another country, connecting flights are a good choice. You can book a trip that stops in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, or another big city. Most travel websites and flight search sites let you book the whole journey at once.
To get the best prices and flight times, try these tips:
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Book early, especially if you plan to travel in summer.
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Look for seasonal flights such as those from London City or Manchester for more direct travel.
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Sign up for airline emails to get news about sales and new flights.
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Be flexible with your travel plans, as flights in the week may be cheaper than others.
Facilities and Passenger Services
Sumburgh Airport gives a good and easy experience for every traveller. The terminal has all the basic things you need so you can feel comfortable during your time at the airport. It does not matter if you are coming or going, you will find it nice. There are quiet spots and shops, and the airport has all these things for passengers.
The airport is made to be easy for everyone to use. If you need help getting around, the staff can help passengers who move less easy. Below, you will find more about the terminal’s services and how to get from Sumburgh Airport to where you want to go in Shetland.
Terminal Amenities and Accessibility Features
The terminal at Sumburgh Airport is made so you can have a good start or end to your trip. There are different things at the airport that help make your time there more comfortable. You can visit a new shop that has items like souvenirs and locally made gifts. It is a good place to get a last-minute reminder of your Shetland visit.
If you want some quiet before you fly, you can go to the West Voe Quiet Room at the airport. This room gives people a calm place to get away from the busy noise in the main waiting area. Sumburgh Airport works hard to make sure people feel comfortable there.
Sumburgh Airport is built to be friendly to everyone. People who find it hard to move around can get help to make sure they have an easy time in the airport. Here are the main things that help make sumburgh airport accessible:
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Assistance is given to help people move from checking in, through the airport, and onto the plane.
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There are accessible toilets and other facilities in all parts of the terminal.
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Information and help are ready for those who need more support.
Ground Transport Options to Shetland Towns
When you get to Sumburgh Airport, there are a few ways for you to travel around Shetland. The airport is about 25 miles, or around 40 km, from Lerwick. Lerwick is the main town in Shetland, so you need to think about how you will go there or other places after you land.
You can use the public bus to travel from Sumburgh Airport to Lerwick and other towns. The bus is a good way to get around Shetland. It is not expensive, and it often comes at the same time as flight arrivals or departures. Taxis are found outside the terminal. They can take you straight to where you want to stay, making it easy to get to your destination.
If you want to travel around Shetland at your own pace, car hire from Sumburgh Airport is a good idea. There are several companies at the airport that rent out cars.
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Public Bus: An affordable option connecting to Lerwick.
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Taxis: Available for direct transfers to any destination on the island.
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Car Hire: Provides the freedom to explore Shetland independently.
Nearby Airports and Inter-Island Connections
Sumburgh is the main airport for Shetland, but it is good to know there are other airports nearby too for planning your journey. In Scotland, Kirkwall in Orkney and Aberdeen on the mainland are the closest airports. These places offer more choices for where you can go next. At certain times of the year, you can also fly to Bergen in Norway.
Shetland has many smaller airfields. These help important travel between the islands, connecting people in far-off places. Here, let’s look at airports nearest to Sumburgh and see how you can travel from one island to another or set up private flights.
Closest Airports to Sumburgh in Scotland
When considering travel alternatives or connections from Shetland, it is useful to know the distances to other airports in Scotland. The closest is Kirkwall Airport (KOI) in the neighbouring Orkney Islands, which is also served by Loganair and acts as a regional hub.
On the Scottish mainland, Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) is a major connecting point with multiple daily flights to and from Sumburgh. Other key airports like Inverness, Edinburgh, and Glasgow are also directly linked, providing a wide range of options for onward travel throughout the UK and internationally.
The proximity of these airports makes multi-destination trips in the north of Scotland relatively easy to plan. Here is a table showing the approximate distances from Sumburgh Airport (LSI) to other airports in Scotland.
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Airport |
IATA Code |
Distance (nm) |
Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
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Kirkwall |
KOI |
99 |
183 |
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Aberdeen |
ABZ |
183 |
339 |
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Inverness |
INV |
196 |
363 |
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Edinburgh |
EDI |
260 |
482 |
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Glasgow |
GLA |
284 |
526 |
Inter-island Travel and Private Aircraft Access
Sumburgh Airport is not only used for commercial flights. It is also important for travel between the islands and for private flying. The airport welcomes private aircraft, so people who like to fly themselves can get to the Shetland Islands easily.
Most flights between outlying communities, like Fair Isle and Foula, leave from Tingwall Airport near Lerwick. The role of Sumburgh Airport is a bit different. It helps with key air travel such as helicopters that support the offshore oil and gas industry, including Bristow Helicopters.
The facilities at the airport are strong enough for different aircraft. It serves many needs, such as:
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Private Aircraft: There are places to land and park private planes.
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Essential Services: The Coastguard Agency and Royal Mail use the airport as a base.
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Helicopter Operations: The airport is known as a main base for trips to North Sea oil and gas platforms.
Sumburgh Airport History and Operations
Sumburgh Airport started as a Royal Air Force base. When it was first built, the airfield was made for the military. Later, it changed to become a busy place for civil aviation. Now, it is the main way people in Shetland are linked to the rest of the world.
Over time, the airport’s work has changed a lot. In the past, it was used during war. Now, Sumburgh Airport helps with flights all year and also ones that only run at some times. Let’s find out about some important times from its past and see how its flights and other services happen over the year.
Key Events and Historical Significance
Sumburgh Airport has a strong link with its military history. The site first started as an RAF airfield. At that time, the UK faced big challenges. The airport was in a spot that let it protect the northern area and help keep important sea routes safe in wartime.
As the years went by, this airfield changed from a place just for the military, into a busy hub for civil aviation in Shetland. This change began a new chapter for Sumburgh Airport. It started helping the local people by making travel to and from the Shetland islands easier, as well as bringing in goods from the mainland.
People still remember the airport’s part in aviation. Both its old and new roles have been mentioned in magazines for the air travel industry. Some important details from the past include:
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The airfield starting out as a Royal Air Force (RAF) base.
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Different squadrons being sent out by the airfield during its time in service.
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The airport’s move from military use to being the main civilian airport in Shetland.
Sumburgh Airport shows the journey from a RAF place to a key part of civil aviation in Shetland and the UK.
Seasonal Operations and Year-Round Services
Sumburgh Airport stays open all year and gives important, trusted services in every season. The main flights, run by Loganair, go to big Scottish cities like Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. These flights operate all year, so sumburgh on shetland is always connected to the UK for both people living there and those travelling for work.
Along with the main flights, the airport also adds extra flights when it gets warmer. This is to help with more tourist travel. The extra routes make it possible to fly straight from other parts of the UK, and sometimes from other countries. For instance, flights in the summer to london city and manchester are popular.
These extra flights usually happen between april and august, which is the busiest time. There is also a flight to bergen in norway that usually starts in june. This route gives a direct connection to Scandinavia. With both year-round and summer flights, Sumburgh Airport can match what people need and stay a key link for everyone.
Conclusion
Sumburgh Airport is important for travel in the Shetland Islands. It helps people get to local spots and to the Scottish mainland. The airport has a long history and works hard to give good services to the people who use it. You can find what you need there, and there are easy ways to get around. That makes your trip feel simple and relaxed.
When you want to see the beautiful Shetland Islands or visit other places close by, it helps to know about Sumburgh Airport. It will make your travel better. Start planning your next trip today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly direct to Sumburgh Airport?
Yes, you can fly straight to Sumburgh Airport. It is the main airport for Shetland. Loganair flights go direct from several cities in the UK like Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness. There are also seasonal direct flights from cities such as London City and Manchester.
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What transport options are available from the airport?
From Sumburgh Airport, you can get on a public bus or take a taxi to go to Lerwick or other towns in Shetland. Car hire services are at the airport as well. This is good if you want to see the islands in your own time. These transport choices help you move on with your trip.
Is Sumburgh Airport suitable for private planes?
Sumburgh Airport is open to private planes. The airport is a main spot for civil aviation and is run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. It has the things needed to take in private aircraft. It works with commercial flights and also with the Coastguard Agency.