Major UK airport introduces £2.50 price hike for drop-off | UK | News
Edinburgh Airport has announced it will increase the drop-off charge for a 10-minute layover to £8.50 from next week. This has increased by £2.50. Airport bosses say the move is necessary to generate more revenue following an “unacceptable” £8m increase in the company’s tariff bill. The airport will also eliminate the 50% discount on electric vehicles from May 18. A free drop-off and pick-up area, approximately a 10-minute walk away and limited to a 30-minute stay, will remain in place at the long-term car park, with more space being added.
Chief executive Gordan Dewar said: “Like many in the hospitality and tourism industries who have seen business rates rise, we have no choice but to pass some of this cost on to travellers.”
This follows a 142% increase in Edinburgh Airport business rates; it was reportedly the largest increase in costs faced by any airport in Scotland and the UK. Dewar said: “This unplanned and completely disproportionate decision to increase interest rates by £8 million has an immediate and negative impact on our business.
“We made this clear in our correspondence with the Lothians assessor who identified the increase and in discussions with the Scottish government who approved it.
“In practical terms, this is equivalent to funding around 200 jobs, two aircraft stands or five new security lanes.
“This is not a cost that can be afforded; it has to be covered, and trade-offs like this are unfortunately inevitable.”
He added: “We have always accepted that we should be paying more given our size, but the size of this increase is simply unacceptable.”
Currently Edinburgh Airport’s drop-off fee is £6, while short-term terminal car parking costs £7 for a wait of up to 15 minutes and £14 for a wait of up to 30 minutes. The BBC noted that other short-term car parks away from the terminal generally cost between £7 and £10, with the cost increasing significantly after an hour. reports.
The broadcaster investigated last year that many drivers had begun parking in laybys near the airport to avoid the fees.
