Shetland Isles Accommodation

Your arrival point by air - Sumburgh Airport in South Mainland Shetland

Plenty of facilities at Sumburgh Airport with cafe, tourist office & art gallery

Departure lounges at Sumburgh Airport Shetland

Some of Sumburgh Airport's runway is built on causeways out to sea!

Helicopters can be chartered from Sumburgh Airport

Plenty of flights connect Shetland to mainland Scotland

Shetland Isles Airports Cheap Flights Shetland Islands

Increasingly flying to the Shetlands has become an easier option meaning relatively hassle-free travel to peace and tranquillity once you land.

Inter-island flights also make it an easy hop across for exploring more of the Shetland Islands.

Shetland Islands Airports

A surprising amount of the Shetland Islands have airports or at least airstrips. Shetland Mainland has two airports, Sumburgh Airport in South Mainland and Tingwall Airport in Central Mainland. Sumburgh tends to be the main airport for UK and international flights while Tingwall tends to run inter-island flights on small 8 seater planes.

Other islands are served by Direct Flight planes such as Fair Isle, Foula and Out Skerries. Flying over the islands gives you a bird's-eye view of the Shetlands on clear days.

Sumburgh Airport South Mainland Shetland Isles

Sumburgh Airport is the main airport serving the Shetlands. It is located on South Mainland of Shetland. Flights from UK mainland and some international destinations all fly into Sumburgh. Destinations served by Sumburgh Airport include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kirkwall on Orkney and Fair Isle in the Shetlands. During the summer direct flights from London Stansted also run. Loganair, British Airways, Atlantic Airways and Highland Airways run scheduled flights from these destinations. Aberdeen to Shetland is the route with the most flights daily with three during summertime.

There is a shop and caf in the main terminal building selling souvenirs and refreshments. Payphones are found throughout the terminal and there is a comprehensive Tourist Information Point with useful information about the islands as well as internet and email facilities. Conference facilities are available for hire (contact the airport direct), a prayer room and quiet room are also available. There's even a widescreen telly in the main lounge area and an art gallery on the first floor!

There are disabled facilities including toilets and wheelchairs. Ambulift facilities are available to assist passengers with impaired mobility during embarkation and disembarkation from aircraft and there are ramp facilities at the entrance. If you require assistance make any necessary arrangements prior to arriving at the airport either through your flight operator or by contacting the airport administration staff on telephone: 01950 461000. Sumburgh Airport, Sumburgh, Shetland Isles, ZE3 9JP. Tel: 0195 0461 000. Fax: 01950 460218. Email: hial@hial.co.uk. Operating hours Mon-Fri 7.15am-8.30pm, Sat 9.30am-5.15pm, Sun 9.45am-5.15pm.

Helicopter and charter flights can also be arranged from Sumburgh direct. Helicopter Charter: Bristows Helicopters. Tel: 01851 705577. Tayflite Executive Air Charter. Tel: 01738 550088. Fax: 01738 553542.

Tingwall/Lerwick Airport - Shetland Mainland - Central Mainland

Lerwick Airport, otherwise known as Tingwall Airport is on the A971 road four miles north west of Lerwick in the centre of Mainland Shetland. Destinations served by Tingwall/Lerwick Airport run to and from Papa Stour, Foula, Fair Isle, Unst and Out Skerries but flights are often dependent on weather conditions so it is best to check flights are running with the airport direct.

Tingwall Airport, Gott, Shetland, ZE2 9XJ. Tel: 0159 584 0306. Fax: 0159 569 4544. Direct Flight run the inter-island services and can be contacted at: Tingwall Operations Team. Tel: 01595 840246. Fax: 01595 840247. Email: lwk.ops@directflight.co.uk

There are a limited number of free parking spaces available at Lerwick airport, for both long stay and short stay parking.

Foula Airport

Foula is also served by Direct Flight "Islander" planes. During official 'summer time' inter-island flights to Foula leave Tingwall Airport morning and afternoon every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with a single flight on Tuesday afternoons. In official 'winter time', single flights take place on every day of the week except Thursdays and Sundays, with some variations.

Foula Airport is exposed and can be affected by cross-winds or fog so check with the airport booking office for up-to-date information before setting off. There are no taxis or public transport in Foula.

Fair Isle Airport

Fair Isle's Airport is located in the centre of the island, on the southern slopes of Ward Hill. Flights run fairly regularly four days per week throughout much of the year from Tingwall Airport on Mainland Shetland. Only small 8 seater "Islander" planes make this journey so booking is essential: Direct Flight Tel: 01595 840246. Fax: 01595 840247. Passengers are required to check in 30 minutes before the departure time of their flight.

The journey takes 25 minutes and on the way you're treated to some fantastic views of South Mainland and of Fair Isle as you come in to land - weather permitting!

Loganair run services from the Orkneys to Fair Isle from either Kirkwall or North Ronaldsay. Check their website for up-to-date timetables.

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