Calls for new airport boss to cancel drop-off fee plans

Monday, 26th July 2010

Kevin Brown is to take over the reins at Edinburgh Airport. He only arrived today and is supposed to spend a week shadowing the outgoing head but already Mr Brown is coming under pressure to implement a major change in strategy. Mr Brown arrives from Aberdeen Airport where, as boss there two years ago, he oversaw the airport dropping its plan to start charging taxis a £1 drop-off fee, following protests.

Now, there are hopes that Mr Brown could herald a similar shift in policy at Edinburgh Airport. From October, the airport is slated to start charging all drivers £1 for dropping passengers off next to the terminal. Already, all political parties are protesting the planned charge and Scottish ministers are refusing to support the fee. The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives launched petitions that garnered thousands of signatures protesting the charge.

Charlie Gordon, transport spokesman for the Labour party, said that with the arrival of Kevin Brown to take over as managing director, there was an excellent opportunity to have the plan reconsidered. Conservative Member of Scottish Parliament for Lothians Gavin Brown has already urged Mr Brown to scrap the charge. Mr Brown was customer service director at Aberdeen Airport prior to taking the top role there in 2007.

← So much for cheap flights, what about the cost of parking?
→ Asia drives better-than-expected recovery in air travel
↑ July 2010 news index

Compare Airport Parking & Hotels