On routes, Mr Brown said he was constantly talking to airlines about new services and some of these discussions were fairly advanced. He said he was trying to establish better connections with America - possibly via Canada - and also Russia, while direct services to one of Lufthansa's hubs in Germany were also firmly on his radar.

He confirmed four of Flyglobespan's seven routes from the north-east had now been taken up, with tour groups Thomas Cook and TUI stepping in to operate flights to Tenerife, Ibiza, Palma and Dalaman.

Discussions continued over the three other routes, to Malaga, Faro and Alicante, and Mr Brown said he hoped these would be concluded very quickly.

Thomas Cook has also introduced summer services to Antalya, Turkey, a new destination from Aberdeen.

BAA invested more than £18million in improvements at Aberdeen last year and there is more work planned for 2010. Part of the redevelopment includes a longer runway, which could get under way this year.