THE strange chief of Scotland’s busiest airport is to face a grilling by its consultative group over the controversial 1 passenger drop-off charge inside days of starting his job.

It is understood Edinburgh airport economical director Kevin Brown, who takes over today, could spark its consultative committee’s highest-ever vote when he presents the plans to members next Monday.

Several of those in successi~ the group, which includes counc

illors, consumer watchdogs and community and journey trade representatives, are known to be concerned about the charge.

However, supportive members take in Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, of which the airport is itself a constituent.

Petitions launched against the move have attracted some 5,000 signatures, and every one of 16 Lothian MSPs have come out against the proposal, with ministers stating they disposition not support it. The airport is writing to all those MSPs to expound its position on the charges.

The airport says the charge, to subsist introduced from October, is to fund a new “fast-track” globule-off zone in the multi-storey car park beside the bound.

It would replace the current adjacent, free drop-off area.

A repaired free drop-off zone will be created at the long-stay car park, linked to the extremity by free shuttle buses every few minutes.

Edinburgh city council conveyance convener Gordon Mackenzie, who is a member of the 23-forcible consultative committee, said he would be raising concerns about the fact of the charge on the airport’s reputation at next week’s encounter.

He said: “The airport has got to be careful about the stroke this has on the perception of Edinburgh as a customer-friendly airport.

“Getting to the terminal is one of the things that makes an airport attractive.”

Mr Mackenzie also feared the charge could be increased once introduced. He said: “This could be the thin end of the wedge. We grant not want to be driving customers away.”

Joe Henderson, of Kirkliston Community Council, who has been a committee clause for 20 years, said the issue could be the most divisive it had discussed.

He afore~: “It could be a unique occasion. I cannot remember us having a primordial vote.”

He said he expected the view of the committee to be heard by the airport’s new managing director, because Mr Brown’s ancestor, Gordon Dewar, had been the “architect of this charge”.

Mr Henderson related he remained undecided over the proposal. He said there were concerns over the lack of direct public transport to the airport from West Lothian, but he thought the 1 fee would be more of a “nuisance” than be excessive.

Graham Birse, the chamber of commerce’s substitute chief executive, who represents it on the committee, backed the charge.