A petition calling on Aberdeen airport chiefs to rethink their controversial drop-off charge has gained more than 2,500 signatures.
Councillors Ian Yuill and Martin Greig launched the petition last month shortly after the charge for dropping off people at the airport doubled from £1 to £2 for just 15 minutes waiting time.
Airport bosses insist the increase is to ease congestion as the planned £20million expansion works progress.
But last night one of the north-east’s newest MSPs said he would be raising the matter with them.
Conservative Liam Kerr, who was elected as a North East Region MSP on May 5, said he would be seeking a meeting with airport bosses to discuss the issue.
He said: “At a time when the north-east economy is struggling due to the downturn in oil and gas and passenger numbers are dropping at Aberdeen International Airport, this policy is sending out the wrong message.
“Drivers will see it as yet another tax on the motorist and it is penalising those who are simply looking to quickly drop off their loved ones without incurring excessive parking charges and spending more time in the airport than is necessary.
“This is an issue that came up time and time again on the doorsteps during the election campaign. The public are not happy about it, and as local representative, it is only right that I raise those concerns.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Mr Yuill said: “I think the support given to this shows that people across Aberdeen and the north-east are annoyed with the airport management levelling this charge.
“The next step will be to meet with the airport’s managing director to talk about how we can work around this toll on airport users.”
The airport’s press office could not be reached for comment last night.
However they have previously said: “The drop-off charge was introduced to ease congestion and manage the traffic flow in what is a restricted area.
“Customers can now park in the short-stay car park for 20 minutes at the same price and a free drop-off area is still available
in the long-stay car park. Importantly, there will be no change for blue badge holders.
“These measures will allow us to continue to provide a safe environment for passengers and all our customers during this time and beyond.”
