Scotland's airports criticised for rising drop-off fees

Drivers dropping off their loved ones at Scotland’s airports are facing rising charges.

Edinburgh and Glasgow have both increased their drop-off fees by £1 and 50p respectively.

In January, Edinburgh began charging £6 for ten minutes, equating to a cost per minute of 60p.

Then in April, Glasgow hiked charges to £6 for 15 minutes, a cost per minute of 40p.

The motoring service firm RAC said “annual ritual of many airports hiking the cost of drop-offs is unfortunately continuing unabated”.

Both Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport said they provide free alternative pickup and drop-off areas for visitors.

RAC analysis found that although Scotland is not the worst offender in the UK, the fees are in sharp contrast to other major airports in Europe which offer a free “kiss and fly” drop-off zones.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Airports understandably need to manage the often-limited on-site space they have.

“We also know some still offer short stay free parking, but the problem is it’s often well away from the terminal.”

Elsewhere in the UK, Belfast City saw charges go up by a third, while London Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton joined Stansted in charging the top rate of £7 for dropping off.

However, on a cost-per-minute basis, the most expensive airports are London Luton and Manchester, where drivers have to pay £5 to stop for just five minutes.

RAC encouraged drivers to do their research before making plans to drop off anybody at the airport.

It also advised people to check taxi fares for drop-off fees, keep goodbyes short, and never drop off on a road inside the airport perimeter.

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “A fee-paying organisation like the RAC will be well aware of the need to reinvest in its business.

“And like the RAC, we do increase costs when required to allow us to remain competitive, invest in our infrastructure, and encourage people to make more sustainable choices, with 42% of our passengers now using public transport.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “In May, as part of a review of our parking facility the pick-up and drop-off fee was set at £6 for 15 minutes, which represents an increase of 50p.

“The pick-up and drop-off area is intended for short visits of up to 15 minutes only and we would encourage anyone who thinks they may be longer to use the free alternative or our short-stay car park”