Taxi drivers blast Edinburgh Airport's new £4 drop-off fee for leaving them ‘out of pocket’

Taxi drivers will be left £2 “out of pocket” each time they make a drop-off at Edinburgh Airport because of price hikes set to come in next month.

A £4 flat-fee will be introduced for drop-offs and pick-ups from November 9, which means those picking up passengers within 15 minutes will pay £1 less - but those dropping off within a new ten minute window will pay £2 more.

Bosses at Edinburgh Airport say they have been forced to make the changes in response to financial challenges of the coronavirus pandemic which could mean losses of £60 million this year.

But chairman of the Unite Edinburgh cab branch, Scott Blair, fears taxi drivers will not be able to recoup the £2 extra charge as they are fixed to a tariff lasting 18 months which was set at Edinburgh City Council’s sub-licensing committee in March.

Taxi drivers have raised concerns about Edinburgh Airport's new £4 flat-fee.

Mr Blair, who recently asked for an urgent meeting with committee members over the issue, said: “It looks to me like a blatant money grab because they (Edinburgh Airport) are losing so much business.

“I hope common sense prevails and they realise we will be out of pocket and they consider the financial situation we are facing.”

Councillor Catherine Fullerton, regulatory convener, said the committee took a decision in March to set the amount which could be passed on to customers for drop-off at £2.

She added: “I should also say that Edinburgh Airport set the fees that customers pay.”

‘Difficult decisions’

In March the Edinburgh Evening News reported that, following a vote by councillors, a £5 pick-up charge - increased from £4 in December 2019 - meant an additional cost of £2.10 being paid by taxi drivers for picking up at the airport would also be passed on to customers.

At the time, airport chiefs were accused of “profiteering” by taxi trade leaders, although the airport said they had to make changes to combat congestion and invest in a new access road.

Recently, it emerged that air passenger numbers in Edinburgh were down 91 percent compared to last year and these are not expected to recover until 2022 at the earliest.

The latest pricing changes are designed to boost revenue and help the airport stay competitive.

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: “We’re taking difficult decisions to protect jobs and prepare the airport for its recovery, which will feed into the rest of the city.

"This will be a decision for the council's licensing team to take and we hope agreement can be reached.

“We want to provide choice to passengers and our free drop-off area remains an option for those who wish to use it. The area will be temporarily moving to the Mid Stay, making it closer to the terminal.”

It is understood the airport would be supportive of any decision by the council’s licensing team to allow taxi drivers to recoup the extra costs.

The airport’s free drop-off zone is for passengers willing to take a shuttle bus service there to be collected.

Edinburgh Airport will also be opening a new £7 million East Terminus facility in November to provide a dedicated area for taxis and private hire cars.

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