Edinburgh Airport has increased drop-off and pick-up fees from £6 to £8.50, blaming the increase on a steep rise in business rates.
The £8.50 charge is for up to 10 minutes. After that, the charge increases every minute by £1. Local residents can apply for a 50% discount.
The Independent says the new fee is the same as Bristol Airport, just less than the £10 charged by Gatwick and Stansted airports and slightly more than the £8 charged by London City and Southend. It adds that the previous half-price concession for electric vehicles has been removed.
Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar said: “This decision to impose an unplanned and wholly disproportionate £8m rates increase has an immediate and negative impact on our business.
“A 142% increase reduces our ability to invest, grow and compete. In practical terms, it equates to funding around 200 jobs, two aircraft stands, or five new security lanes. It is not a cost that can be absorbed; it must be covered and trade-offs like this are unfortunately unavoidable.
“We had not planned to raise fees this year, but 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.”
The airport still has a free drop-off and pick-up area, where cars can park for 30 minutes. It is a 10-minute walk from the terminal and there are no shuttle buses. Cars that overstay the free 30-minute allowance by up to an hour will be charged £14.
