TWO Scottish airports have been revealed as being among the five most expensive in the UK for parking charges.
Motoring group, RAC, warned drivers to be aware of "sky high charges" as it named Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airport among the highest chargers.
Scotland's busiest airport, Edinburgh, charges drivers more than Heathrow to park while picking up friends or relatives, and motorists dropping off holidaymakers at Aberdeen Airport have to fork out £2 to stop outside the terminal for 15 minutes.
Read more: Edinburgh Airport launches flight paths consultation
The pick-up and drop-off parking charges have been highlighted by RAC as it urged motorists to be aware of the levies – particularly if flights are delayed or disrupted.
RAC head of external affairs Pete Williams said: "Drivers are running the risk of incurring some hefty charges if they drive to a pick-up zone to collect somebody whose flight is delayed, or who has to wait a long time at baggage reclaim. In these cases, they are much better finding another, more affordable airport car park.
"Unfortunately, from our research there will be a trade-off in that other car parks tend to be considerably less convenient and a lot further from the arrivals hall.
"The message to anyone picking up or dropping off at an airport this summer is simple – check the fees carefully before you set out.
Read more: Edinburgh Airport launches flight paths consultation
"Overstaying the maximum permitted drop-off time could end up costing as much as a short-haul flight to Europe."
The five most expensive airports in the UK for pick-up parking charges are: London Luton, Birmingham, London Stansted, Edinburgh and London Heathrow.
Meanwhile, the priciest for drop-offs are London Luton, London Stansted, East Midlands, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said that it was one of only six major airports in the UK to offer a free pick-up and drop-off area which it was "committed to maintaining".
However, the RAC said it was only free for the first 10 minutes, after which drivers have to take a shuttle bus to the terminal building to greet or wave off a loved one. As a result "they are certain to have to end up paying to park – £3.50 for up to 30 minutes and £5.90 for up to an hour".
Read more: Edinburgh Airport launches flight paths consultation
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “Edinburgh Airport is now one of the most competitive airports in Europe, offering direct flights to scores of destinations across Europe, North America and the Middle East. To provide that range of choice and quality facilities for passengers – such as our paid-for drop-off area – we invest millions of pounds at the airport and seek a modest contribution from the people who use the facilities to ensure that investment is sustained over the long-term and Edinburgh has an airport of which it can always be proud.”
A spokesperson for the Airport Operators Association said: "Non-aeronautical income, such as income from parking, allows airports to keep charges to airlines low, benefiting travellers through lower airfares and increased connectivity.
"It also supports the record investments airports are making in improved facilities and infrastructure to create the best possible experience for passengers."
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