Edinburgh Airport to sell scanners, conveyor belts

A UNIQUE opportunity to buy parts of Edinburgh Airport is to be held next week when security scanners, snowploughs and even a fire tender go under the hammer.

One of the unusual vehicles put up for sale. Picture: Contributed

The auction of redundant equipment also includes cars which patrolled the airport perimeter, terminal seating and two old Fokker 27 aircraft which were used for fire training.

The airport is expected to make several hundred thousand pounds from the sale, which will be used to fund improvements.

A hangar-full of more than 400 lots, which are expected to attract interest from other airports, including in developing countries, will be up for grabs on Wednesday

The inventory also includes conveyor belts, TV monitors, computer screens and unused barcode scanners still in their boxes.

Ayrshire-based Wilson Auctions, which is organising the event, said it had been expanded after being originally organised by the airport to offload equipment and fittings from its old security hall.

Wilson commercial manager Bob Chambers said: “It grew a bit when they realised there was an opportunity to see if other departments had assets they no longer required.”

Mr Chambers said airport sales “do not come up very often” and next week’s would be the first in Edinburgh, if not in Scotland.

He said the scanners, which are only about five years old, could be of interest to other airports or ports. Other items could go to collectors or be stripped down for their parts.

Mr Chambers declined to give guide prices but said the Cobra fire tender was likely to go for around £40,000.

He said: “We did not turn anything down and I expect it all to go.

“One man’s junk is another man’s profit. There is a buyer for everything.”

An airport spokesman said: “Following a transition from our old security hall to our new facility, we were left with surplus equipment which we no longer required.

“After consideration and research, we decided an auction would be the most effective way of recycling the equipment.

“Any money generated will be reinvested into our airport, ensuring we continue to provide the best for our customers.”

Viewing is available from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday.