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bill · Guest

alt.airports.uk.edinburgh FAQ, version 1.1, 4/12/04.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Edinburgh Airport
2.1 Where is it?
2.2 How many people use it?
2.3 How old is it? Was it always an airport?
2.4 When was the first commercial flight? Who operated it?
2.5 When was the current airport built?
2.6 How long are the runways? What aircraft can they handle?
2.7 I've an airband radio. What can I listen to?
2.8 Is there a viewing area?

3. Travelling to, from, and away from the Aiport
3.1 How do I get to it?
3.2 What destinations are available?

4. Passenger Facilities
4.1 What facilities are available at the terminal?
4.2 Are there car rental desks?
4.3 Are there airline lounges?
4.4 Are there hotels nearby?
4.5 Is EDI accessible to the disabled?
4.6 Is smoking permitted at EDI?

5. Web Links
5.1 Airport
5.2 Airlines
5.3 Edinburgh

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions for alt.airports.uk.edinburgh.
A few of these questions are frequently asked; most aren't, but are
answered anyway.

2. Edinburgh Airport

2.1 Where is it?

Edinburgh Airport (EDI/EGPH) is located 8 miles west of the City of
Edinburgh, which is the capital of Scotland. It is one of seven UK (and
three Scottish) airports owned and operated by the British Airports
Authority.

2.2 How many people use it?

Last year (2003), about 7.5 million passengers used it. EDI has been
experiencing a large percentage growth in passengers for the last 10
years. This growth rate is amongst the best of any airport north of
London. Further statistics may be downloaded from the BAA website
([url]http://www.baa.co.uk)[/url], or that of the Civil Aviation Authority
([url]http://www.caa.co.uk)[/url]. EDI also deals with a large cargo throughput.

2.3 How old is it? Was it always an airport?

It started life in 1915 as an air base, called Turnhouse Aerodrome,
after the part of Edinburgh it is located in. After the establishment
of the RAF, the airfield was renamed to RAF Turnhouse, and remained the
property of the Ministry of Defense. In 1939 the grass strip runway was
paved to construct what is now the secondary runway, runway 12/30. The
runway was originally 3,900ft long, however in 1952 this runway was
extended to 6,000ft, to allow the Royal Auxiliary Airforce to operate
their newly acquired Vampire FB5s from the airfield.

2.4 When was the first commercial flight? Who operated it?

The first commercial flight took off from Edinburgh in 1947, operated by
British European Airways (who would later merge with BOAC to form
British Airways). The flight was a shuttle flight linking Edinburgh to
London, a route that continues to be flown to this day.

2.5 When was the current airport built?

In 1960 the Ministry of Defense transferred ownership of the airfield to
the Ministry of Aviation, who would later become the British Airports
Authority, in 1971. This was also the year that the second runway was
constructed. This 8,400ft runway was aligned with the prevailing wind at
06/24. A new terminal was also constructed alongside the new runway,
forming the base for the current terminal. The old hangers that were
used during the airfield's military years were converted for use as
cargo storage, and the area was transformed into the current cargo
centre.

2.6 How long are the runways? What aircraft can they handle?

The current runway lengths are: 06/24: 2560m x 46m, and 12/30: 1798m x
46m. The main runway can, and has handled almost every type of aircraft
in production today. Some of the largest may suffer from payload
restriction. YMMV, literally. Although runway 12/30 is capable of
handling most of the day to day traffic at EDI, it isn't used too much
these days ? it is put to use mainly when the main runway is being
worked on, and is often used as extra aircraft parking. Speaking of
which, there are 16 terminal stands with approximately 20 additional
remote stands that passengers can be bussed to.

2.7 I've an airband radio. What can I listen to?

Radio traffic can be listened to on the following frequencies: Approach
121.2 MHz, ATIS 131.35 MHz, Ground 121.75 MHz, Tower 118.7 MHz

2.8 Is there a viewing area?

There is no viewing area in the terminal, but excellent views of the
landing and departing aircraft can be found at the following locations:

Ingliston Market (follow signs to airport, then Ingliston). A huge open
air area adjacent to the perimeter fence.

Lennymuir Road (follow the signs from the a8 to the Cargo Centre).

3. Travelling to, from and away from the Aiport

3.1 How do I get to it?

By car: EDI is conveniently located near the junction of the M8/M9. The
main approach road leads off the A8, which is also easily accessible
from the City of Edinburgh Bypass (the A720). From the city, follow the
Glasgow Road to the A8. From the north, cross the Forth Road Bridge and
follow the A8000 to the M9 and A8. From the west, take Jn. 2 of the M8
to the A8. There is ample long and short term parking available at EDI.
Short term car parks are in the airport grounds. There are many longterm
car parks at off site locations, most of which are well signposted.

By taxi: The Airport taxi fleet is accessed from the exit at UK
Arrivals. Take a left turn through the tunnel. Pre booked taxis are
picked up from the ground floor of the multistory car park opposite
Arrivals. A taxi to/from the city will cost approx £15. Taxis to/from
destinations outwith the city limits can be expensive ? prebooking a
rate is advisable for these journeys.

By bus: An express bus (AirLink) is operated by Lothian Buses
([url]http://www.flybybus.com)[/url]. It operates every 15 minutes to and from the
Airport and Waverley Station in the city centre and the journey takes 25
minutes (approx.). Fares are £3 for a single and £5 for a return.
If you are unravellings by bus in the city, it is possible to buy an
Airsaver ticket which also allows travel on citywide Lothian buses. As
well as stopping at Waverley, the AirLink also stops at Shandwick Place
(West End), Haymarket, Murrayfield, Edinburgh Zoo, Costorphine, Maybury
and the Airport Hilton.

By rail: Edinburgh Airport does not have a rail station (yet). To travel
to Edinburgh Airport by rail, take a train to Edinburgh Haymarket, where
you can transfer to the AirLink bus mentioned above. Scotrail used to
sell a through ticket ([url]http://www.scotrail.co.uk/edairport.htm)[/url]. They
have recently been replaced by the First Group so it is anyone's guess
whether this will continue to be offered. There are plans to build an
underground rail interchange at EDI (http://www.earlproject.com) but
this is still some way in the future.

By tram: There are plans to build a new tram system from the city centre
to the Airport.

3.2 What destinations are available?

Following is the listing of direct destinations currently available to
book to/from EDI. Links to particular airline websites can be found in
section 4, or you could use the travel agent of your choice.

Domestic Destinations

Belfast City (BHD) ? FlyBE (BE)
Belfast International (BFS) ? Easyjet (EZ)
Birmingham (BHX) ? bmibaby (WW), British Airways (BA), BE
Bristol (BRS) ? BA, EZ
Cardiff (CWL) ? WW
Exeter ? BE
Inverness (INV) ? BA
Jersey (JER) ? bmi (BD)
Kirkwall ? BA
Leeds Bradford (LBA) ? BD
London City (LCY) ? BA, ScotAirways (CB)
London Gatwick (LTN) ? BA, EZ
London Luton (LGW) ? EZ
London Heathrow (LHR) ? BD, BA
London Stansted (STN) ? EZ
Manchester (MAN) ? BD, BA
Manston ? Eujet (EU)
Norwich (NWI)? Eastern Airways (3Y)
Nottingham East Midlands (EMA)? WW, EZ
Sumburgh ? BA
Southampton (SOU) ? BA, BE
Stornoway ? BD
Wick - BA

International

Alicante ? Air Scotland (GRE), Flyglobespan (EXS)
Amsterdam (AMS) ? EZ, KLM
Barcelona (BCN) ? EXS
Brussels (BRU) ? BD
Cologne (CGN) ? Germanwings (4U)
Copenhagen (CPH) - BD
Cork (ORK) ? Aer Arran (RE)
Dublin (DUB) ? Aer Lingus (EI), Ryanair (FR)
Faro (FAO) - EXS
Frankfurt (FRA) ? Lufthansa (LH)
Galway (GWY) ? RE
Geneva ? EXS
Hamburg ? Hapag-Lloyd Express
Malaga ? EXS, GRE
Moscow (DME) - Transaero
New York Newark (EWR) ? Continental (CO)
Palma ? EXS
Paris Roissy (CDG) ? Air France (AF), BA
Paris Orly (ORY) ? AF
Prague (PRG) ? Czech Airlines (OK)
rome Da Vinci ? EXS
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) ? SAS (SK)
Toronto Pearson ? Air Transat

In addition, summer and winter charters are operated to the usual hot
(and cold) spots.

Also, cargo flights regularly fly to and from Shannon, Stockholm, Liege,
London (LHR), amongst others, but these flights don't carry paying
passengers.

4. Passenger Facilities

4.1 What facilities are available at the terminal?

EDI is a relatively modern airport ? the current terminal building
having been built in the late 70s and extended and refurbished in the
late 90's/early 00's. The check-in hall can get a little bit cramped at
peak time, but the growing use of automated check in machines (currently
used by British Airways and bmi) will help to reduce this.

Once checked in, heading upstairs towards security, there is the usual
array of BAA retail outlets to spend money at. Of particular local
interest is a branch of Jenners (http://www.jenners.com) ? the famous
Edinburgh department store, which will cater for all your tartan and
shortbread needs. There is also a food court upstairs before you go
through security. Downstairs, there are two branches of Costa Coffee,
with hot snacks available at both. Most outlets will accept £, US$ and
¤uro.

The queues at security can be quite long at peak times, which are 0530-
0700 and 1630-1800, Monday to Friday. Beware that if a large flight is
departing at an off peak time that there may not be sufficient staff at
persecutive, resulting in a small delay.

Once Airside, you will find yourself in one of the more pleasant UK
airports. EDI has a combined (in practice) domestic and international
airside area, meaning that facilities are plentiful, if somewhat spaced
apart (it is approx. 500m from one end of the terminal to the other).

Gates 1a, b, c, d, 2, and 3 are usually used for international flights,
or domestic flights that require bussing to a remote stand. Gates 4-14
(missing out Gate 8 and 13, none of which exist, and counting gate 12
twice) are usually used for domestic flights, which currently make up
the majority of flights at EDI.

The Wetherspoon's bar between gates 9 and 10 offers snacks, drinks, and
seating with an excellent view of the runway and apron. There is a
smaller branch at Gate 4, which does not offer hot food. Costa Coffee
have two outlets ? one at Gate 11, and one at Gate 2. The Gate 2 outlet
does not do hot food.

The full list of terminal facilities is as follows:

Land side: Accessorize , Books etc, Boots, Impulse, Jenners, Thornton's,
Tie Rack/Rolling Luggage, World News (x2), Costa Coffee (x2), JD
Wetherspoon, Burger King, Franklins of Boston, La Brioche Dorée and
Village Grill, International Currency Exchange (x2), Prayer Room, cash
machines, public phones (cash and credit card).

Airside: Austin Reed, Dixons, World Duty Free (for international
passengers only), World Shopping (for everyone), World News, Costa
Coffee (x2), JD Wetherspoon (x2, one of which, at Gate 4, has no draught
beer or hot food), Travelex, Communications Centre, shoeshine, cash
machines, public phones (cash and credit card).

4.2 Are there car rental desks?

Yes, in the UK Arrivals Hall: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz,
National/Alamo (Offsite rentals with Sixt, Arnold Clark, etc. available
via courtesy phone). Enterprise and Thrifty operate a desk at Quality
Hotel, which is served by a shuttle bus.

4.3 Are there airline lounges?

Yes ? BA, bmi and Scotairways each operate their own. ServisAir operate
a lounge that some other airlines use, and that can be accessed for a
fee (currently £1 Cool

. For further details please see
http://www.taxiwayalpha.com/airports/edinburgh/lounge-review.php

4.4 Are there hotels nearby?

Yes ? Hilton have a branch less than 500m from the terminal building.
There is a Quality hotel about 1.5 km from the terminal at Ingliston.
The Norton House Hotel and Marriot at Maybury are the next nearest. All
of these hotels (and others) are bookable at the hotel desk in the UK
arrivals hall, and all offer a shuttle bus service.

4.5 Is EDI accessible to the disabled?

In general, yes ? lifts are provided at the majority of gates and in the
checkin hall. There is an increasing use of Braille signage. Airline
policies differ ? from hearsay, avoid Ryanair.

4.6 Is smoking permitted at EDI?

Yes, but only in specially designed AirFlow areas. These are located
downstairs in the International Arrivals baggage Hall, International
Arrivals, UK Arrivals, and upstairs airside opposite Gates 2 and 10.

5 Web Links

5.1 Airport

Official airport site, includes live arrivals and departures
information:
http://www.baa.com/main/airports/edinburgh/
Unofficial site: http://www.edinburghairport.org.uk
Unofficial site and discussion forum: http://www.taxiwayalpha.com

5.2 Airlines

Aer Arran: http://www.aerarann.ie/
Aer Lingus: http://www.aerlingus.com
Air France: http://www.airfrance.com/uk
Air Scotland: http://www.air-scotland.com
bmi: http://www.flybmi.com
bmibaby: http://www.bmibaby.com
British Airways: http://www.ba.com
Continental: http://www.continental.com
CSA: http://www.csa.cz/en/czechia
Easyjet: http://www.easyjet.com
flybe: http://www.flybe.com
Flyglobespan: http://www.flyglobespan.com
Germanwings: http://www.germanwings.com
KLM: http://www.klm.com/uk_en
Lufthansa: http://www.lufthansa.co.uk
Ryanair: http://www.ryanair.com
ScotAirways: http://www.scotairways.com

5.3 Edinburgh

Edinburgh and Lothains Tourist Board: http://www.edinburgh.org/
VisitScotland: http://www.visitscotland.com
An article on visiting Edinburgh:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299979

Bryan Henderson · Guest

phew just in time I'm beginning to have withdrawal symptoms on EDI stuff on
this newsgroup!! :-)

fox1 · Guest

"Bryan Henderson" <bhendersonNOSPAM (AT) freenet (DOT) co.uk>

Jim Mason · Guest

In article <2c93t0dlm664d5mjs9v24ajqn0pmd4jvfv (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, fox1
@NOSPAMedinburghairport.org.uk says...

Joe Curry · Guest

The message <2c93t0dlm664d5mjs9v24ajqn0pmd4jvfv (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>
from fox1 <fox1 (AT) NOSPAMedinburghairport (DOT) org.uk> contains these words:

John Reid · Guest

Joe Curry wrote :

Jim Mason · Guest

In article <2004122820253966937 (AT) zetnet (DOT) co.uk>, [email]ability (AT) zetnet (DOT) co.uk[/email] says...

John Reid · Guest

Jim Mason wrote :

Jim Mason · Guest

In article <7rEiVIONtd0BFwru (AT) nospam (DOT) demon.co.uk>, [email]news (AT) jazza (DOT) demon.co.uk[/email]
says...

Jon Simpson · Guest

"Joe Curry" <ability (AT) zetnet (DOT) co.uk> wrote

bill · Guest

In article <cqt6rl$amd$1$8300dec7 (AT) news (DOT) demon.co.uk>,
[email]jrs (AT) monopoly (DOT) demon.co.uk[/email] says...