Scottish airport trials new ‘free parking’ rules for holidaymakers

A SCOTTISH airport is trialling free parking as more people are encouraged to drop off their bags the night before travel.

Customers with a booking in the official Edinburgh Airport car parks will be able to access the one-hour parking area without having to pay.

The twilight service means passengers on early morning flights can come to the airport the night before to check in bags, heading straight to security on the day of travel.

Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways currently offer the twilight scheme.

The trial began on May 1 and customers with existing bookings will be able to take advantage of the free area.

Customers yet to make bookings will be informed of the free parking area in their confirmation emails.

Adam Wilson, Chief Operating Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “The Twilight service was very popular last summer, so much so that it continued into the winter months, so we know there is a demand for the service and that passengers like to use it where possible.

“We’ve worked with airlines to extend days and hours of operation where possible, and we hope that benefits passengers who have those early morning flights and want to head straight to security on the morning of their flight.

“We’re also trialling free twilight parking for customers with official Edinburgh Airport car park bookings to encourage more people to use the service.

“That will be kept under constant evaluation to judge the effectiveness of it and to determine the next steps for the Twilight bag drop service.”

Edinburgh Airport states the standard charges for the one-hour parking area as £6 for up to 15 minutes, £12 for 15 to 30 minutes, and £15 for 30 minutes to one hour.

Earlier this year, Edinburgh Airport was quietly sold as part of huge £9.8billion deal.

Fund manager BlackRock purchased the owners of the major Scottish travel hub, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

The deal is expected to be finalised near the end of the year.