Drop off fee 'a tax to boost profits'
16.07.10
Edinburgh airport managers were opposed to the £1 passenger drop-off charge to be introduced later this year, because they feared it would damage the airport's reputation, The Scotsman reports. The news comes as the airport's soon to depart boss issued an open letter to passengers, businesses and politicians defending the fee.
The Scotsman reports that senior airport bosses were divided over the plan to introduce a fee when it was first discussed last year because of the likely public reaction. Its sources also say the plan was approved in the knowledge that the fee would be too low to deter drivers, and would effectively be a ‘tax’ to boost the airport's flagging retail income.
One of the 'sources' told the newspaper: 'It was felt it would be difficult to argue for the charge because other Scottish airports were not doing the same, particularly Glasgow, which has also just redeveloped its forecourt and drop-off area without introducing charges. The charge was planned because there is a hole in the retail income due to a drop in passengers - fewer than forecast are flying and they are spending less.’
The revelations come as a further blow to the soon to depart airport managing director Gordon Dewar, who issued an open letter to passengers, businesses and politicians yesterday defending the fee, insisting that customers should make a ‘modest contribution’ in return for tens of millions of pounds of investment the airport has made and will continue to make.
In the letter he stresses that the charge is for a ‘premium drop-off facility’ and passengers can still be dropped off free further away (near the Edinburgh Airport Hilton hotel). He said the charge would help reduce ‘kiss and fly’ journeys to and from the airport and encourage more use of public transport, leading to a reduction in emissions, as well as contributing to construction costs.
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