The Customer
Aberdeen Airport – was first established 90 years ago in July 1934. The airport handles around 500,000 passengers per year by helicopter for the North Sea oil fields, making it the world’s busiest heliport. In 2025 it welcomed 2.3million passengers on domestic flights, flying to 26 locations, worldwide.
The Challenge
Aberdeen Airport had a requirement for improved mobile network coverage across the airport, with the installation of 4G and 5G to be completed within small working windows.
Implementation
Exchange Communications delivered the latest in 4G and 5G multi-operational mobile network coverage connectivity across the airport.
The upgrade will significantly transform connectivity for passengers that passengers, as well as staff and airline partners.
Key Results / Benefits
Exchange Communications successfully implemented the new connectivity which provides the following benefits
- Faster & Stronger 4G & 5G dedicated mobile phone coverage with faster mobile data speeds.
- 5G Reliable wireless connectivity
- Supports airport infrastructure and range of services including from contactless check-in to digital passport controls – if required.
- Better call quality in departure, arrival and across the airport terminal.
Quotes
Tom Sime, CEO at Exchange Communications said: “We have delivered a system with the UK carriers, dimensioned to handle the current and future passenger requirements for this unique airport. Aberdeen International Airport is not only the gateway for the North-East of Scotland to Europe and beyond, but the main artery to Scotland’s oil and gas network in the North Sea, which is why ensuring it is amongst the most connected travel hubs in the country is incredibly important.
“The work we have done to enable 5G at Aberdeen International Airport means that we have laid the foundations-for the airport to easily keep up with any new developments in technology and can adapt as the airport grows and its need for internet capacity changes.
“Aberdeen International Airport joins several across the UK including Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast which have undergone 4G and 5G projects with us.
“More and more airports are looking to improve connectivity as the benefits of these systems for the sector become more apparent. It’s not just about network and internet connections in the terminals, but also supporting the smooth running of the complex technology required for the entire passenger journey.”
Gavin Revell, Chief Information Technology Officer at AGS-Airports, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “At AGS we are embarking on a digital transformation journey centred around the provision of a seamless customer experience. In the connected world, accessibility to super-fast reliable data networks is simply a customer expectation. This initiative ensures our airports are ready to meet the connectivity needs of both our customers and operational teams today, and in the future.