Edinburgh International Airport (EDI)

About Edinburgh International Airport

Edinburgh International Airport is situated eight miles west of the city centre and is the eighth largest airport in the country. Operated by BAA Limited, Edinburgh International Airport offers routes to about 85 destinations with more than 50 airlines using it as a base. Edinburgh International Airport is the second busiest airport in Scotland and the eight busiest in the country, and with the expansion works planned it is anticipated that passenger numbers will exceed twenty million by 2030.

Parking at the Airport

There is the option for either short or long stay car parking at Edinburgh International Airport. For picking up or dropping off, or short stays of this nature then the short stay car park can be found directly beside the terminal.
There are two long stay car pars in at Edinburgh Airport; the Long Stay Edinburgh and the NCP Scotpark Edinburgh. Long Stay Edinburgh is located on airport property and provides a frequent complimentary coach service which transfers passengers to and from the terminal, taking roughly five minutes. NCP Scotpark Edinburgh is just outside the airport boundaries but also provides a free coach service. Both these facilities are manned 24 hours a day, provide frequent patrols, security barriers and CCTV.

Facilities and Services

Edinburgh Airport offers a range of facilities within its terminal, including toilets and baby care, cashpoints and money changing services and left luggage, as well as a variety of options for shopping and dining. The Servisair Lounge is located next to gate 4 and provides business facilities as well as complimentary light snacks, alcohol and beverages, offering a relaxed atmosphere for those wishing to work or just relax before their flight. Amongst the fifty or so airlines that operate out of Edinburgh Airport are Aer Arann, bmi, Continental Airlines, Flybe and First Choice Airways.

Getting To The Airport

If you are planning to travel by train the main railway station is Waverley, located in the city centre. From here there are services to Glasgow and other destinations all over the country. In addition Edinburgh Haymarket Station is situated on the main bus route between the airport and the city centre, and also provides a variety of services countrywide.
If you are planning to travel by bus the Airlink 100 runs regularly from Edinburgh city centre to Edinburgh International Airport. The N22 runs every half hour through the night to the airport via Ocean Terminal and South Gyle. Also the 35 route to Leith which calls at a number of locations in the vicinity, terminates at Ocean Terminal. The Airdirect 747 to Fife links the airport to Inverkeithing Railway station and Ferrytoll and there is also a new Horsburgh service to West Lothian. The Edinburgh Shuttle is also available, providing access to the airport and this will pick up and drop off at any point within the designated area.
If you require a taxi there are three ranks at the airport; one of which provides a fleet of private taxis that operate out of the eastern end of the terminal. There is a black cab service next to the coach park and finally a rank for pre booked vehicles on the ground floor of the short stay car park.
If you are planning to travel by car there is a two-level junction on the 18 midway between the Gogar and Newbridge roundabouts and this provides easy access to the airport by road. From the Edinburgh side join the A8 from the city bypass and carry on towards Glasgow. From the north and west, join the A8 at the Newbridge roundabout and carry on towards Edinburgh.

History of Edinburgh International Airport

The site started life as Turnhouse Aerodrome in 1915 as the most northerly British air defence base in World War I, acting as the headquarters for the 603 Squadron with only a makeshift air strip.

When the Ministry of Defence took control of the site it was re-christened RAF Turnhouse and it continued its military status throughout the Second World War. During the hostilities the fighter command took over the airport and a proper runway was built so that it could accommodate the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire.

RAF Turnhouse maintained its military standing after the war, the first civil flight was launched from the site in 1947. It was not until 1960 that the Ministry of Aviation took over the property, subsequent to a number of improvements having been carried out, including a further extension to the runway and a new passenger terminal.

The airport was bought in 1971 by BAA and they immediately embarked on a series of developments including the upgrading of the existing runway so that the airport was able to handle all modern airliners. The official opening of Edinburgh Airport took place in 1977 but the development of the site is ongoing with new car parking facilities, an extension to the arrivals hall and a new control tower which was completed in 2005.