Cars pollute skies more than planes, claim airport chiefs

Published on Saturday 16 February 2008 10:15

CARS are bigger polluters than planes, according to new research into air pollution at Edinburgh Airport.

A new study has revealed the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide are found in the airport's car parks, forecourt and approach roads, rather than on the main airfield.

Nitrogen dioxide is the most common measure of poor air quality and five out of 20 sites tested around the airport had pollution above government levels.

The research, commissioned by airport operator BAA, does not, however, take into account the tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted by aircraft when they are 1000 metres above the ground and high altitude winds disperse emissions. Around a quarter of all passengers coming to Edinburgh Airport arrive by public transport – the highest figure for any UK airport without a rail link.

Airport chiefs today promised to step up its efforts to increase the number of passengers coming to the airport by bus.

But environmental groups argued that the air pollution problems at the airport will only worsen given its expansion plans.

Victoria Colling, the airport's environment manager, said: "I think these new air quality figures will surprise a lot of people. Most would probably expect the worst pollution at an airport to be on or next to the runway where planes taxi, land and take off.

"However, this report shows the biggest source of pollution is not from planes, but from vehicles driving to and from the terminal.

"The figures show Edinburgh Airport has been right to focus on increasing public transport.

"One million more passengers a year come to the airport by bus than five years ago, thanks to new bus services and the priority we have given to public transport on the airport forecourt.

"However, we are focused on increasing this figure even more in the months ahead."

Edinburgh Airport is now Scotland's busiest, having added dozens of new routes.

Last year saw around 126,000 passenger and freight flights come in and out of the airport.

The EU annual average objective for nitrogen dioxide is 40 micrograms per metre cubed, but the tests showed levels around the taxi area are at 49, while the forecourt is at 44.

Tested areas on the main airfield gave average readings of 19.

Monitoring in surrounding communities such as Lennymuir, Castle Gogar and Lochend showed nitrogen dioxide levels well below the EU limits.

In 2010, the EU targets on air quality become mandatory and the council faces being hit by fines of thousands of pounds.

However, the airport will be served by the tram by 2011 and bosses are planning further public transport improvements.

Stuart Hay, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "With plans to treble passenger numbers, the local impacts can only get worse in terms of air pollution – even with public transport improvements.

"Whilst the local impacts are bad, the real problem are the climate changing emissions released when the planes are in the air, something that BAA seems keen to downplay."

The air quality monitoring was carried out by consultants AEA Energy and Environment, with readings taken between November, 2006 and August last year.