Airport chiefs set for more ire over charge

BOSSES at Edinburgh Airport will tomorrow come under renewed fire from MSPs over their plans for a £1 drop-off charge.

Lothians Tory MSP Gavin Brown will lead a member's debate at the Scottish Parliament criticising the move, which has been opposed by MSPs from across the political spectrum.

Edinburgh Airport says the charge, due to be introduced at the end of October, will help cut "kiss and fly" journeys and claims it is reasonable to expect customers to make a "modest contribution" in return for millions of pounds of investment.

But Mr Brown said for many people public transport is not a viable option for getting to the airport. He pointed out no other BAA airport operated such a charge and said there had been no consultation on the move.

He said: "Thousands of residents, businesses and other organisations across the Lothians and elsewhere in Scotland have voiced their opposition to the charge and the airport has managed to unite all the parties, which doesn't happen very often. Everyone is against it."