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Edinburgh Airport FAQ · Guest

Edinburgh Airport FAQ, version 1.51, 28/12/05.

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. Traveling to, from, and away from the Airport
3.1 How do I get to it?
3.2 What destinations are available?
3.3 I'm picking someone up, what should I do?
3.4 Where can I find information on arrivals and departures?

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?
4.7 Future plans

5. Web Links

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 13 km 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 (BAA).

2.2 How many people use it?

Last year (2004), slightly under 8 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 (after the
part of Edinburgh it is located in) Aerodrome. 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. This
runway was originally 3,900ft long, however in 1952 it 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 Defence 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 southwesterly 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.

The current airport terminal building was opened in 1977, having been
designed by Edinburgh based architect, Robert Matthew. An extensive
expansion and renovation took place from 1999.

A second terminal, or an extension to the current terminal will open in
2006.

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
x46m. 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. Traveling to, from and away from the Airport

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. Please note that the new
multistory car park is very expensive for stays of more than 1 day.
There are many long-term car parks at off site locations, most of which
are well signposted. Current charges are £1.50 for 30 minutes, £11 for a
day, discounted by prebooking (http://www.baa.com)

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 GBP18. Taxis to/from
destinations outwith the city limits can be expensive - prebooking a
rate is advisable (http://www.onwardtravel.com) 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 GBP3 for a single and GBP5 for a
return. If you are traveling 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 Haymarket, where
you can transfer to the AirLink bus mentioned above. 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?

A comprehensive and updated list of destinations and carriers can be
found at http://www.uk-airport.info/edinburgh

Information on destinations served by charter airlines can be found from
travel agents; a list can be found under "Destinations" on the Plan and
Book Your Trip page of www.edinburghairport.com

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

3.3 I'm picking someone up, what should I do?

Confusingly, there are three separate arrival points in EDI, so make
sure that you have the right one.

International Arrivals are at the left end of the building as you enter
- all international (including RoI) flights will decant their passengers
here.

Domestic arrivals are split between two areas at the right hand end of
the building. Most flights arrive through the gate with the big
visitScotland ad, beside carousel 4. Belfast flights, and the occasional
other domestic flight arrive at the gate behind the Costa Coffee outlet.
There are unfortunately, few indicators where the passengers from a
particular flight might emerge.

If you are picking people up by car, a stay in the Short Stay car park
is currently £1.50 for 30 minutes.

3.4 Where can I find information on arrivals and departures?

Live Arrival and Departure information can be found on
http://www.edinburghairport.com - click on Live Flight Information.
Also on Ceefax page 455.

please note that some flights show multiple code shares

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 self check in and automated check in
machines (currently only 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 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
0530-0800 and 1630-1800, Monday to Friday. Beware that if a busy flight
is departing at an off peak time that there may not be sufficient staff
at security, 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, 3 and 4 are usually used for international
flights,or domestic flights that require bussing to a remote stand.
Gates 5-14(missing out Gates 8 and 13, neither of which exist, and
counting gate 12 (a + b) 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. The Seafood
Bar and Paul are located at Gate 6. Paul offers a range of hot and cold
plates, again, with a view of the apron and runway. Costa Coffee have
two outlets - one at Gate 11, and one at Gate 2.

The full list of terminal facilities is as follows:

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

Airside: Dixons, World Duty Free (for international passengers only),
World Shopping (for everyone), World News(x2), Costa Coffee (x2), JD
Wetherspoon (x2, one of which, at Gate 4, has no draught beer or hot
food), Paul, Seafood Bar, Travelex, Best of the Best, Communications
Centre (PAYG internet terminals), 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 the
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 (GBP12.50 through KLM seems to be the cheapest). 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 Gate 2. There is
also an open smoking section at the airside Wetherspoons outlet,
opposite Gate 10.

4.7 Future Plans

As mentioned in section 3.1 there are plans to extend rail and tram
links to EDI from Edinburgh city centre and beyond. These plans are
still at the consultation stage. In addition, a terminal expansion is
under construction, due to complete summer 2006, with an extension of the
terminal beyond Gate 14.

Announcements on further connections to the US and Europe are always
anticipated.

5 Web Links

Official airport site, includes live arrivals and departures
information: http://www.edinburghairport.com/
Unofficial site and discussion forum:
http://www.taxiwayalpha.com/edinburgh
Unofficial site: http://www.uk-airport.info/edinburgh
Unofficial site (out of date information):
http://www.edinburghairport.org.uk
Wikipedia entry on EDI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Airport
Edinburgh and Lothians 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

FAQ Information

Version History

1.0 08/11/04 initial draft
1.1 06/12/04 removed newsgroup information
1.11 21/12/04 some minor edits
1.2 03/01/05 Many edits, added wikipedia link. Thanks to clive for the
tidied destination/airline list
1.21 04/02/05 some minor edits
1.3 03/03/05 removed pointers to erroneous information. Some edits, and
added 4.7 Future Plans
1.31 03/04/05 Changed title of document
1.4 24/04/05 Added 3.3, 3.4.
1.41 22/05/05 edits, additions to route, airline list
1.42 22/06/05 edited route list, thanks Clive
1.43 05/07/05 Minor edits, thanks Clive, GKirk and Joe Curry.
1.44 21/07/05 Updated BAA links
1.45 03/07/05 Minor edits and updates, thanks Callum
1.5 06/11/05 Removed destination lists and airline links. If you are
reading this you'll have heard of Google.
1.51 28/12/2005 minor amendments

This FAQ is posted on an occasional basis to the Usenet groups
alt.airports.uk.edinburgh and free.uk.binaries.edinburgh-airport. Some
content is also mirrored on http://www.uk-airport.info/edinburgh and
http://www.taxiwayalpha.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1131

The information in this document is provided copyright free.