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The Voice of EDI · Guest

Edinburgh Airport FAQ, 25/08/06.

Updated to reflect opening of the new pier and a new low price to access
the ServisAir lounge.

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 about Edinburgh Airport. 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 (2005), slightly over 8 million passengers used it. EDI has
been experiencing growth in passengers for the last 10 years. The growth
rate is amongst the best of any airport north of London. Further
statistics may be downloaded from the BAA website
(http://www.baa.co.uk), or that of the Civil Aviation Authority
(http://www.caa.co.uk). 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 Defence. In 1939 the grass strip runway was
paved to construct what is now the secondary runway, runway 12/30.

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 of 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.

An extension to the current terminal will open in August 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:
1798mx46m. 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 for
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).

A fully comprehensive guide to these and other locations, suitable for
photographers, can be found at http://www.edinburgh-images.co.uk/ Thanks
to Gerry for the link.

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 £1.90 for 30 minutes, £13.20
for a day, discounted by prebooking (http://www.baa.com)

By taxi: The Airport taxi fleets are accessed from the exit at UK
Arrivals. Take a left turn through the tunnel, or head straight on for a
black cab. 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
(http://www.flybybus.com). It operates every 15 minutes to and from the
Airport and Waverley Station in the city centre and the journey takes 25
minutes (approx., allow more time at peak periods). Fares are GBP3 for a
single and GBP5 for a return. 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. 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. http://tt.tiedinburgh.co.uk/

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, 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, beside the information desk.

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, £3.60 for an hour. There is a
signposted pick up zone, but wardens will move cars on after 10 minutes
wait.

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 will help to reduce this.

Edinburgh Airport accepts pre-printed boarding passes from any airline
that permits customers the use of internet checkin.

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, 3a 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.

Gates 14-19 are reached by a travelator to the new south-east pier.
Please allow extra time when proceeding to these gates. Also, please
make sure that you have determined the difference between gates 1B and
18 - the difference on a boarding card can be difficult to read.

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, International Currency Exchange (x2), Prayer Room, cash
machines, public phones (cash and credit card). A new visitScotland shop
and information booth is in International Arrivals.

Airside: Nail bar, Dixons, World Duty Free (for international passengers
only), World Shopping (for everyone), World News(x2), Costa Coffee (x2),
JDWetherspoon (x2, one of which, at Gate 4, has no 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, payable at the lounge).

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.

A recent investment by Edinburgh Airport is a fully enclosed motorised
unit that will allow wheelchair or immobile passengers to be transported
from the terminal and lifted directly to the door of the plane. Use of
this facility should be prebooked by arrangement on +44 (0)870 040 0007.
Please note that wheelchair users will be subject to a hand search at
the security checkpoints.

4.6 Is smoking permitted at EDI?

No. There is no smoking permitted in enclosed workspaces in Scotland.

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. The Bill for the
Rail Link has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament and the Bill
for the Tram Link was passed in March 2006.

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
Up to date unofficial site, the place to look for route and airline
information: http://www.uk-airport.info/edinburgh
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
Edinburgh Airport Discussion: http://www.egphforum.com/

FAQ Information

This FAQ is posted on an occasional basis to the Usenet groups
alt.airports.uk.edinburgh and alt.travel.uk.air. Some content is also
mirrored on http://www.uk-airport.info/edinburgh and
http://www.taxiwayalpha.com

The information in this document is provided copyright free.