New access charge at Edinburgh airport has motorists fuming

Monday, 5th July 2010

Management at Edinburgh airport has approved a plan to start charging £1 for motorists to drop off passengers. The airport and supporters of the plan say the charge is necessary in light of increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions. Those who oppose the plan, however, are extremely critical, going so far as to accuse the airport of being greedy.

From October, motorists will have to pay £1 if they drop off passengers at the airport. The charge will be applied to members of the public as well as taxis and will allow 10 minutes, after which unspecified excess charges will apply. The Scottish Taxi Federation complained that taxi drivers will not be able to pass the surcharge on to customers. Conservative councillor for Edinburgh, Mark McInnes said the plan was greedy, would not end earning the airport much money and should be cancelled.

The airport defended the move, saying it has spent £50 million on improvements to the airport and none of the money came from the public purse or other forms of subsidy. Gordon Dewar, the airport’s managing director, said it had to balance the needs of all users whilst striving to provide the best range of facilities and flights.

← Belfast Airport plan for £1 pick-up charge met with anger
→ East Midlands Airport launching revamped parking
↑ July 2010 news index

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