Committee to vote on drop off fee
02.08.10
The new boss at Edinburgh Airport will face a grilling by its consultative committee over the controversial £1 passenger drop-off charge within a week of starting his job, the Scotsman reports. New managing director Kevin Brown, who takes the new role today having previously been in charge at Aberdeen Airport, could spark its consultative committee's first-ever vote when he presents the plans to it members next Monday. However, as we reported over the weekend, contracts have already been signed to create the new 60 car park space.
The airport says the new £1 charge, to be introduced in October, will be used to fund a new ‘fast-track’ drop-off zone in the multi-storey car park beside the terminal. It will replace the current adjacent, free drop-off area, but a new free drop-off zone will be created near the airport's Hilton hotel, linked to the terminal by free shuttle buses. The airport hopes the move will increase public transport use and cut congestion around the terminal.
The newspaper reports that several members on the committee, which includes councillors, consumer watchdogs and community and travel trade representatives, are concerned about the charge. Supportive members include Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, of which the airport is itself a member. Airline representatives on the committee could also back the charge.
However, it is our understanding that the consultative committee has no power to block the move. Given that contracts have already been signed, it seems unlikely that Mr Brown will change the decision, even though whilst in charge at Aberdeen Airport he decided against its introduction.
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