Transport minister to raise airport drop-off fee with BAA

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson is to meet Edinburgh airport executives to discuss its controversial plan to impose passenger drop-off charges.

The pledge came during a Holyrood debate on the 1 levy, due to be introduced on 1 October, with MSPs describing the policy as "tedious, mindless and pointless".

The move was branded a "money spinner", and there were warnings it could be the "thin of the wedge", with the fee increasing above the initial 1 level.

The BAA-run airport hopes to raise as much as 1 million from the charge, which it claims is needed to cover the cost of investment.

During yesterday's debate, Edinburgh Pentlands Conservative MSP David McLetchie branded the plan a "revenue raiser" and warned BAA could be using the Scottish capital as a "guinea pig" before imposing similar charges at the company's other airports at Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Mr Stevenson responded by promising to raise the concerns with BAA bosses.

He said: "This is a very significant issue and I fully appreciate the strength of feeling.

"As the government minister, some of these comments will form part of the discussion I have with BAA when the next time I meet them."

An Edinburgh airport spokesman said: "We believe that the solution to drop-off zones at Edinburgh airport is the best one to fixing this incredibly complex problem."