The European Union has agreed to look into the legality of Edinburgh Airport’s decision to charge a £1 drop off fee to customers. The issue has been raised by Struan Stevenson, a Conservative MEP. According to the airport, it is not the first in Europe to introduce such a charge, but Sim Kallas, transport commissioner for the EU, said he was not aware that any other airport, public or private, in Europe charged a drop-off fee.

According to Mr Stevenson, the charge being made to drivers dropping passengers off at the terminal came as a shock when it was introduced. He said that it was also apparent that the £1 charge has also shocked the authorities in Europe.

Edinburgh Airport said that the introduction of the fee came at a time when six other airports in Europe were also introducing, or considering introducing, a drop-off charge. An airport spokesman said that he was not sure why the EU was not aware of similar charges being in place at other airports.

Edinburgh said that the initiative had been well received and that it helped to cut-down congestion and made the airport a more pleasant experience for airline passengers. The spokesman said that if Mr Stevenson was really concerned about passengers being charged unfair fees he would lobby Westminster over Air Passenger Duty which is deterring visitors from flying into Scotland and hampering those wishing to fly out of Scottish airports.

Mr Kallas said that the European Commission would examine the drop-off charge.