Aberdeen International Airport is entering one of the most ambitious chapters in its recent history — and the momentum behind that growth is now shaping the future of the passenger experience on the ground. Fresh from being named Business of the Year at the 2026 Northern Star Business Awards, organised by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the airport is doubling down on that trajectory with the appointment of leading strategic design consultancy Portland Design to spearhead a multi-million pound retail transformation.
The recognition came after a standout year in which pre-tax profits more than doubled to £17.2 million (up from £6.8m the previous year), turnover rose 8.7% to £56.4 million, and passenger numbers grew 1.7% to 2.3 million. The airport now supports 3,400 jobs and contributes over £110 million annually to the north-east Scotland economy — figures that underline why investment in passenger experience is not just cosmetic, but commercially strategic.
The appointment of Portland Design marks a significant milestone in Aberdeen International Airport’s wider transformation plans, which will see most retail and food & beverage units refreshed or redeveloped over the next 16 months as part of one of the most ambitious commercial upgrade programmes undertaken at the airport in recent years. The work forms a key strand of AGS Reimagined — AGS Airports’ long-term vision to create modern, sustainable and passenger-centred airports across Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton — and reflects a strong vote of confidence in the north-east of Scotland’s connectivity, tourism and business markets.
Portland Design was selected following a competitive tender process to partner with Aberdeen International Airport in establishing a clear vision for its future retail proposition. The team has since developed a comprehensive set of Retail Design Guidelines that will underpin more than £2.5 million of planned investment across the terminal estate. Drawing on customer feedback, demographic insights and regional identity, Portland has created a design framework that celebrates the character of Aberdeen and the wider north-east of Scotland.
The guidelines set out a consistent approach for all commercial operators, ensuring improved visibility, intuitive layouts and high-quality environments that support increased dwell time, brand differentiation and overall commercial yield.
Tom Hack, Retail Director at AGS Airports, said: “Aberdeen International Airport is at the beginning of a transformative period for our retail facilities, with more than £2.5 million being invested and most units set for change over the next year and a half. Portland has helped distil that spirit into a clear and practical set of retail guidelines that will guide every future commercial development.”
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Graham Needham, Associate Director at Portland Design, added: “We have enjoyed collaborating with the team at Aberdeen International Airport to create a locally rooted commercial experience that enhances the passenger journey while driving commercial success.”
The Retail Design Guidelines now form a core element of Aberdeen International Airport’s commercial strategy, ensuring that all future partners contribute to a cohesive, high-quality environment that enhances the passenger journey, supports regional identity, and maximises the long-term value of a multimillion-pound investment in the airport’s future.
