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Edinburgh Airport has announced that starting from next week, the fee for dropping off passengers at its dedicated zone immediately outside the main terminal will increase by £2.50, reaching a total of £8.50 for a 10-minute stay. Airport management described this price hike as “unavoidable” due to the need to offset a significant rise in the airport’s business rates bill, which has surged by an “unacceptable” £8 million. Alongside the raise in drop-off charges, the airport will also end a previous 50% discount that had been in place for electric vehicles.
The new pricing will take effect on 18 May. To provide alternatives, the airport will continue to offer a free drop-off and pick-up zone located about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, within the long-stay car park. This area has a 30-minute limit and will have additional spaces added to accommodate users. Currently, the airport charges £6 for drop-offs directly outside the terminal, while the short-stay car park costs £7 for up to 15 minutes and £14 for 30 minutes. Parking at other short-stay lots farther from the terminal ranges from £7 to £10, with rates climbing steeply for stays exceeding an hour.
Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordan Dewar emphasized the financial pressures driving the surcharge. He explained, “Like many across the hospitality and tourism sectors who have seen business rates soar, we have no choice but to pass part of this cost on to passengers.” Dewar highlighted that the airport’s business rates have risen by 142%, the largest such increase for any airport in Scotland and the UK. He described the £8 million rise as “unplanned and wholly disproportionate,” affecting the airport’s capacity to fund jobs, infrastructure, and services, and stated that it cannot be absorbed without making trade-offs.
The airport has formally expressed its concerns to the Lothian Valuation Joint Board, which is responsible for setting non-domestic rates, as well as to the Scottish government. Dewar voiced frustration with the magnitude of the increase: “We have always accepted that, given our size, we should pay more, but the scale of this increase is simply unacceptable.” Public reaction to the hike has been critical. Dylan Howat, who traveled from Glasgow, called the charge “ridiculous,” citing the unpredictability of flight timings and the length of his journey. Lisa Hiddleston, waiting to pick up family members, labeled the fee “overpriced” and expressed concern about escalating costs if delays occur. Neil Anderson also criticized the system as “crazy” and accused the airport of exploiting the situation
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