Sumburgh Links was surveyed and the grass strips laid out by Captain E. E. Fresson in 1936, and the airport was opened on 3 June of that year with the inaugural flight from Aberdeen (Kintore) by de Havilland Dragon Rapide G-ACPN piloted by Captain Fresson himself. It was also one of the first airfields to have RDF facilities, due to the frequency of low cloud and fog and the proximity of Sumburgh Head.
The establishment of Sumburgh Links Airport in 1936 was a significant event, marked by Captain E.E. Fresson's survey and layout of the grass strips. The airport opened with an inaugural flight from Aberdeen (Kintore) on June 3rd, 1936, highlighting its importance as a transportation hub. Its early adoption of RDF facilities was crucial for navigating the challenging weather conditions at Sumburgh Head.