Edinburgh Airport Raises Drop-Off Fees to £8.50, Citing Unacceptable Business Rate Hike
Edinburgh Airport has announced an increase in its drop-off charge, effective 18 May, raising the tariff for a 10-minute stay in the main terminal zone from £6 to £8.50. The airport will also discontinue the 50% discount previously offered to electric vehicles.
Airport chief executive Gordan Dewar stated the rise was "unavoidable", directly linking it to a £8 million increase in the airport's business rates bill. He asserted that the airport, like many in the hospitality and tourism sectors, must pass on these increased costs to passengers.
A complimentary drop-off and pick-up area will remain available in the long-stay car park, approximately a 10-minute walk from the terminal, with additional spaces allocated. This free zone limits stays to 30 minutes.
The airport claims the 142% hike in its business rates is the largest increase faced by any airport in Scotland or the UK. Dewar characterised the £8 million increase as "unplanned and wholly disproportionate", equating it to funding around 200 jobs, two aircraft stands, or five new security lanes. He stated that this cost cannot be absorbed and necessitates trade-offs, such as the increased drop-off fee.
Edinburgh Airport has communicated its concerns regarding the rates process to the Lothian Valuation Joint Board, the First Minister, and the Public Finance Minister. Dewar noted that while the airport accepts it should pay more given its size, the scale of this particular increase is deemed "unacceptable".
