Kirkwall Airport Guide
Kirkwall Airport is the main airport for Orkney, the island group off the north coast of Scotland. It sits about 5 km southeast of Kirkwall, on the Mainland, the largest island. The site began as RAF Grimsetter in 1940 to protect the Scapa Flow naval base. The Royal Navy took it over in 1943 and ran it as HMS Robin. Civil control passed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 1948, and Highlands and Islands Airports took over in 1986.
Loganair flies the scheduled network. Direct routes run to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Sumburgh in Shetland. Seasonal services to Dundee run until 23 October 2026. Loganair also links Kirkwall with the smaller Orkney islands of Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray, which makes the airport the hub for inter-island flights. Onward connections to Belfast City and Manchester run through Inverness.
Passenger numbers peaked at 181,562 in 2018. They fell to 61,177 in 2020 and have recovered each year since. The airport has two runways: the main 09/27 at 1,430 m and a shorter 14/32 at 677 m.
Services
3 of 6 availableCompare 6 listed options at Kirkwall Airport, spanning parking, car rentals and hotels. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Kirkwall Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 157K passengers (2025)2 runwaysopened 1948
- Location
- 58.958, -2.905
- Operator
- Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
- Links
- Wikipedia ↗
Terminals
1 terminalKirkwall Airport has 1 passenger terminal — Kirkwall Airport Terminal, handling domestic flights for around 1 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Kirkwall Airport TerminalDomestic
Loganair
Nearby cities
1 cityKirkwall Airport is closest to Kirkwall (5 km northwest). With 1 town or city within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Kirkwall5 km northwest
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Kirkwall Airport?
What are the airport codes for Kirkwall Airport?
Where is Kirkwall Airport located?
Where is Kirkwall Airport located?
What services are available at Kirkwall Airport?
What services are available at Kirkwall Airport?
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