Airport costs

You are right to debate how air travel is funded and why (reports 2-6 July).

Nobody wants extra charges, especially in tough times. But times are tough for passengers and business alike. The days when airports can sit pretty, sucking in cash as local authority monopolies are gone.

Thankfully, low cost airlines have revolutionised the way we travel for millions of people, not just the jet-set.

British airports (Edinburgh included) play their part by relentlessly focusing on efficiency to compete with rivals right across Europe and keep charges low enough for airlines to fly to a wide range of destinations.

But as a number have found, in hard times, sometimes the books have to be balanced in other ways.

It doesn't make the pill easier to swallow, but Gordon Dewar is not alone in having to take tough decisions to balance passengers' short and long term interests.

ROBERT SIDDALL

Airport Operators Association

London

Among the furore over the proposed 1 fee, I note that one of the main justifications given by the airport managing director Gordon Dewar is "the need to reduce carbon emissions".

If Mr Dewar was genuinely concerned about reducing carbon emissions caused by his business perhaps he could start by reflecting on the impact of the flights operated at the airport.

I am by no means a great fan of the green lobby but if some of the admittedly statistics are to be believed, a reduction of one flight per year would reduce carbon emissions by substantially more than the proposed charge.

IAN WHYTE

The Wynd

Gifford, Midlothian