EDINBURGH Airport has vowed to look into refurbishing its arrivals hall following complaints that its interior looks like “corrugated iron and wire”.
One of the UK’s busiest airports and Scotland’s main gateway for international tourists, Edinburgh Airport has received criticism over its supposedly drab interior and “unacceptable” delays at immigration controls.
Bosses at the airport have stressed that they are investing heavily in its infrastructure as they are welcoming more passengers than ever before, with a record 62,458 people traveling through the transport hub on July 11.
The airport expects to spend about £90 million this year on various capital projects, up from £52m in 2024, with some of that money going towards overhauling the terminal, according to The Times.
Ken McNab, who heads the Travel Company Edinburgh and In2Scotland, raised concerns to the Edinburgh Airport Consultative Committee (EACC) about what he called the “corrugated iron and wire” appearance of the arrivals building.
Along with the interior giving visitors a negative experience, McNab also raised concerns about “unacceptable” delays after flights land.
At the EACC meeting, Gordon Robertson, the airport’s chief communications and sustainability officer, acknowledged McNab’s concerns but suggested the number of passengers with negative experiences is in the minority.
He said: “Scots feel proud about Edinburgh and I know some of this makes them feel less proud, but generally it is not the experience of the majority.”
Robertson described the arrivals area as a “functional hall” but did confirm the issues about its appearance and reportedly said it was being considered as part of plans for the wider redevelopment of the terminal.
The arrivals hall is controlled by the UK Border Force, meaning the airport will have to work with the agency on any changes.
In July, the airport lifted its 100ml liquids restriction for the first time since it was introduced almost 20 years following the installation of top-of-the-range security X-ray technology.
Eight new X-rays were installed as part of a £24m investment "to transform the security process at the airport".
In April last year, the French conglomerate, Vinci Airports, took a 50.01% stake in Edinburgh Airport for £1.27 billion.
At the time, Vinci said it would continue improving customers’ experience as one of the key areas it would work on at the airport.
