Amid the summer holiday rush, Edinburgh Airport’s access roads are congested on a humid Friday afternoon.
Designated stopping areas are scarce, yet numerous drivers line the lay-bys, awaiting the arrival of family and friends from their vacations.
These motorists are largely positioned within a half-mile radius of the terminal entrance, seeking to circumvent the “kiss-and-fly” fees imposed in the official drop-off zone.
Recent research by the RAC indicates that over half of the UK’s busiest airports have escalated their drop-off charges in the past year.
At Edinburgh Airport, drivers are levied £6 for a 10-minute stay in a designated drop-off and pick-up area situated near the main terminal.
Each additional minute beyond this allowance incurs a £1 charge.
The airport’s short-stay terminal car park charges £7 for up to 15 minutes and £14 for 30 minutes. Other short-stay car parks located further from the terminal generally range from £7 to £10, with costs escalating significantly after an hour, while some offer limited free parking.
Instead, many drivers attempt to outmaneuver the system, lingering in informal spots along Eastfield Road, awaiting a message confirming their passengers’ arrival.
They then drive the short distance toward the Moxy or Hilton hotels, collecting passengers as they exit the airport, making a quick departure to avoid potential fines for parking violations.
Near the Moxy, by a farm gate along a grass verge, Caroline O’Brien, 52, waits for her husband and children returning from Paris.
She recounts a previous £24 charge for under 30 minutes in the drop-off zone, prompting her decision to avoid it this time.
“You can’t predict if the plane will arrive early or late, and I don’t want them waiting,” she explains.
“For pick-up and drop-off, a couple of pounds would be fair. You’re only there briefly while they collect their luggage and then quickly back into the car and away.”
Drivers approaching via Eastfield Road encounter three roundabouts en route to the main terminal, the closest leading to a one-way system that necessitates passing through the drop-off zone.
Signage informing drivers of the charges is absent on the approach but is present within the drop-off zone.
Payment is required upon exiting the drop-off area.
The RAC survey identified London Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Southampton, and Stansted as charging the highest rate of £7.
Edinburgh, alongside London Heathrow, Birmingham, Liverpool John Lennon, and Glasgow, charges £6 for the initial drop-off period.
In contrast, nine of the ten busiest airports in the European Union do not impose drop-off fees.
Rontom Tschopp, 32, from Switzerland, was unaware of the charge when dropping off a friend.
He noted that his local airport in Basel does not charge for the same service.
“I was a bit surprised, as we don’t have this in Switzerland,” he stated.
“It creates a disincentive to do small favors like dropping off friends. Had I known about the fees, the goodbye would have been less heartfelt, more like: ‘You need to go now, there are extra charges.'”
Edinburgh Airport is connected to the city center by bus services and a tram network with a stop just outside the terminal.
A free drop-off zone is located about half a mile (0.8km) from the main terminal, across the tram line and near a car rental service.
Parking is free for 30 minutes, but increases to £10 for up to an hour and £18 for one to three hours.
Up another side street, near a vacant commercial property, Shiela McPheely waits to collect her sisters returning from Albufeira, Portugal.
She deems the drop-off zone cost “appalling” and intends to pick up her sisters at the free drop-off point, despite their mobility issues.
“It’s simply greedy. The flights are expensive enough, and then there are further costs inside for food and drinks,” says Sheila, 79.
“There is a free parking area, but it’s more suitable for younger, fitter people. One of my sisters has back pain, and the other is awaiting hip surgery, so it’s difficult for them.”
Inside the charged drop-off area, a multi-story car park offers shelter from the sun.
Gavin Marshall, 45, waits for his in-laws arriving from London, who he will drive back to Stirling.
He admits that he hadn’t noticed the charges before parking.
“It’s a bit extortionate, £1 per minute is a bit of a joke.”
“The flat £6 seems fair, but the £1 per minute seems excessive.”
Taxi driver Dean Carse, 31, notes the impact on customers.
“Every journey is £6 more expensive.”
“I pay it, but pass it on to the customer, which is ridiculous. The money goes from the customer to me to the airport.”
“The airport claims to care about pollution, but they don’t. They’re a business focused on profit.”
Edinburgh Airport informed BBC Scotland News that a free drop-off area is available.
They added that passengers can choose between the free and paid areas.
Airports UK, the industry body, stated that all hubs offer free drop-off options further from the terminals.
They highlighted the provision of “park and ride” facilities, enabling passengers to leave their cars and take a bus to the airport.
A Police Scotland spokesperson indicated that officers regularly provide “advice” to motorists in the airport complex, without specifying the nature of that advice.
They added: “Appropriate action will be taken where necessary.”
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