Edinburgh airport: Critics fear it's just the start of fees for 'extras'

Published on Tuesday 13 July 2010 19:55

OPPONENTS of Edinburgh airport's proposed £1 drop-off fee fear it may represent the thin end of the wedge.

This would be the first charge of its kind in Scotland, although several English airports have already introduced similar levies.

South of the Border, there are also charges for other airport services, such as baggage trolleys.

Some smaller airports, including Blackpool and Newquay, have even imposed a "departure tax" of up to 10 on all passengers.

They have described it as a "development fee" to fund expansion, although free parking is included in some cases.

The move has evolved as airports have become increasingly short of cash because of the recession and the massive disruption caused by Icelandic volcanic ash, and are now forced to mimic no-frills airlines to generate extra income.

Carriers such as Ryanair charge passengers extra for everything from food to checked-in luggage - on the basis that you should not have to pay for what you do not want.

Likewise, airports are turning to such add-on charges themselves to make up for a reduction in the amount they generate from landing fees as airlines negotiate ever-tighter deals.

Edinburgh airport has stressed that it will continue to provide a free option for those not wishing to pay the 1 charge for drivers dropping off passengers close to the terminal.

However, this will be at the long-stay car park, ten minutes' walk - about twice as far as the car-rental centre - or a shuttle-bus ride away.

Officials say there are no plans to remove the free option in the future.

However, critics of the plan are also concerned that once the charge has been introduced, it will be increased, with Scottish Government aviation officials already advising the airport thatthe 1 fee may have to be raised to encourage drivers to change their behaviour.

Consumer groups have pointed to other airports where charges have been raised following their introduction. However, Edinburgh airport owner BAA said it did not expect to have to increase the fee for some time.