The revamped Sumburgh Airport was officially opened yesterday by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
Work at the Shetland airport has been carried out over the last three years and has includes larger security screening areas and upgrades to the main departure lounge.
The first phase of investment by operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) involved major improvements to the hangars used by the energy sector and a new new lounge specifically for offshore workers.
The airport is used as a base for oil and gas industry as well as public flights to the Scottish mainland, Orkney and Norway.
The second – and recently completed – phase caters for scheduled passengers, with improved check-in, security and baggage reclaim facilities and refurbishments to the terminal concourse.
The international and oil related passenger arrivals and offshore transit lounge have also been refurbished.
Improvements have also been made to the airport fire station and air traffic control tower.
Hial chairman Mike Cantlay, said: “Sumburgh Airport is a vital part of the oil and gas industry’s logistics network and is well placed to benefit from continued activity both to the west and east of Shetland that will see a significant upturn in both rotary and fixed wing oil charter activity.”
He added: “The team at Sumburgh, led by airport development manager Andy Gower, has developed facilities which will meet the expectations of both scheduled and oil industry travellers including efficient transfer between helicopter and fixed wing aircraft and vice-versa.”
Mr Yousaf, said: “I’m very pleased to be part of the official opening of these fantastic new facilities, marking the completion of the second phase of improvement work at Sumburgh Airport.
“The airport plays a vital role for the oil and gas industry, as well as Shetland’s wider connectivity, and has seen a significant rise in passenger numbers and aircraft movements in recent years. These new facilities will improve the passenger experience and help ensure the airport can continue to grow in the future.
“I look forward to watching Sumburgh Airport reap the benefits of this improvement project and continue to build on its recent success.”