0:00:02 > 0:00:06Just one year ago, Edinburgh Airport became an independent company
0:00:06 > 0:00:08when their owners, BAA, were forced to sell.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11There's a lot of people that worked here that no longer work here.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13That puts you on edge a little.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Since the new owners, GIP, moved in, things have changed.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Aviation is back in the 1970s in most places.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22It's a challenging environment,
0:00:22 > 0:00:26but it's starting at such a low base, it is a great opportunity to improve.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29The airport has attracted several new carriers.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31We're not a jazz band.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Air Canada Rouge.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Virgin's Little Red adds six flights a day to London.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41And Turkish Airlines fly nine times a week to Istanbul,
0:00:41 > 0:00:45adding up to record-breaking passenger numbers.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47We'd like the airport to be seen as the best airport in the world.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It doesn't necessarily mean that you're the biggest.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51And it is a tight squeeze.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54The airport is rubbish. It can't cope.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58At times, the old terminal building is bursting at the seams.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02We're probably working at about 250 to 300% above capacity now,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05with passengers actually backing out onto the tarmac now.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08To accommodate the massive increase in passengers,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10expansion plans are brought forward.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Essentially, where all those windows are in the terminal building,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16there'll be a large two-storey box.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19But with retail and profits flying high...
0:01:22 > 0:01:25..could everything be brought crashing down
0:01:25 > 0:01:28by an airport's smallest foe?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30GUN FIRES
0:01:42 > 0:01:46It's a start of another busy day at Edinburgh Airport.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48What is it you're eating there?
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- What is it?- Aye, it's, uh...raisins and...
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- What is it called? Special K. - It's, eh, it's healthy.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55That's what it is, mate. That's what it is.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00More than 300 flights will take off or land here today.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- George, can you give me that pen? - Here.- Oh, I got one, OK.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Ground Control are responsible for ensuring
0:02:07 > 0:02:10that the runway remains operational.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Now, I'm running out of stands.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15At the moment, I'm managing to get the two Jet2s over,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18but I've got an easyJet now going on 208, which is mental,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21but looking at the stand plan...
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Their biggest concern is wildlife
0:02:24 > 0:02:26crossing aircraft flight paths.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Our number-one risk to the continuity of the airfield
0:02:29 > 0:02:31is bird strike.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34So, it's important that we control the wildlife
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and the birds to maintain the operation that we do,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41cos without the runway, we're a shopping centre.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48The pilot of a passenger plane from Frankfurt has radioed in
0:02:48 > 0:02:52reporting a suspected bird strike in the starboard engine.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- PHONE RINGS - Airside Operations.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57You want to keep us informed about how it's going?
0:02:59 > 0:03:03It's a possibility that Scot Watson, Senior Manager at Ground Control,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05is always alert to.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Birds can do an enormous amount of damage to aircraft,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11basically making it drop out of the sky in a matter of minutes.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Gulls, because of their size and how they fly,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15they fly very slow and they're usually up to
0:03:15 > 0:03:17about four pounds in weight,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21it's probably the most dangerous bird that an aircraft could hit.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26A similar situation brought down US Airways Flight 1549
0:03:26 > 0:03:28in the Hudson River.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33That's all right. That's all right.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42This time, the plane has safely touched down.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But for the hundreds of passengers waiting in the terminal building
0:03:47 > 0:03:52booked on the return flight, it means the news no-one likes to hear.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- TANNOY:- May I have your attention, please?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56This is an announcement for passengers
0:03:56 > 0:04:02travelling on delayed service LH417 to Frankfurt.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06This flight has now been delayed due to technical reasons,
0:04:06 > 0:04:11and following information will be available in two hours.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15On the tarmac, it's now up to Ashley Wilkes
0:04:15 > 0:04:18to determine the extent of the damage.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20ENGINE RATTLES
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Thankfully, the engine escaped intact,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and the clear-up job is just cosmetic.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47But it certainly won't be the last bird strike
0:04:47 > 0:04:49that Airside staff will have to deal with.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Keeping planes and their passengers moving through the airport quickly
0:05:06 > 0:05:07is a complex challenge.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Especially when mistakes could have severe consequences.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18CEO Gordon Dewar is proud of the airport's exemplary safety record.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23But it comes with a hefty price tag attached.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26There's big costs that are peculiar to airports.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30We've got a very substantial investment in our fire service.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32ALARM RINGS
0:05:32 > 0:05:35We've obviously got to have a safe operations aircraft,
0:05:35 > 0:05:36so we've got our traffic control services,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39where there's obviously a lot of equipment,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43a lot of very highly-skilled staff, which doesn't come cheaply.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45So, yeah, there's a whole host of things that airports have to
0:05:45 > 0:05:47pick up that other businesses don't,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49but that's part and parcel with what we do.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53We just have to make sure that every penny we spend is spent well.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Like every airport, the new owners have offset
0:05:56 > 0:06:00these costs by maximising profits from the shops,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02and they have 40 on site.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Airports work best, we believe, on our concession model,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08where instead of charging rent for some floor space,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11we believe that it's better if we have a share of turnover.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13If people are standing in queues in security,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16then they're not buying coffee in the departure lounge.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19So, we are incentivised to ensure people spend as little time
0:06:19 > 0:06:21as possible in queues, and instead spend their time
0:06:21 > 0:06:25relaxing and enjoying the services and the products that we offer.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Every penny that we can make out of concession, or voluntary spend,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31is a penny less that I have to charge the airlines,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33and therefore we can be more competitive
0:06:33 > 0:06:35when we're trying to attract airlines to come to Edinburgh.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41As part of this business model, the new owners are investing
0:06:41 > 0:06:46£150 million into the airport.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50The aim is more space, more passengers, more shops
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and, hopefully, more profit.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54But 50 years ago,
0:06:54 > 0:06:59this busy airport operated at a slightly more sedate pace.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The runway was once part of the road network,
0:07:02 > 0:07:07and the B9080 had to be closed for landings and takeoffs.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11The departure lounge was a cafe with a view of the airfield,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13accompanied by a single shop.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17So, 50 years ago,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19this was the retail offer here at Edinburgh Airport.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22I think it just demonstrates how things have changed.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23And things have changed
0:07:23 > 0:07:27because people's demands have changed, as well. So, you know,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31our customers that come through here now demand more than one shop
0:07:31 > 0:07:33that sells a few newspapers and a cup of coffee.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Today, the commercial team are experimenting
0:07:36 > 0:07:39with a number of new pop-up displays
0:07:39 > 0:07:42to increase passing trade and flog more whisky.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43The current favourite?
0:07:45 > 0:07:47A round of video golf.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51This is our experiential space that we work with duty-free
0:07:51 > 0:07:55to give our customers something different in the terminal.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Glenmorangie, for example,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01have put this in for the Golf Open that just finished last Sunday.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Mixing two of Scotland's biggest exports
0:08:05 > 0:08:08is proving to be a masterstroke,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10though they wouldn't encourage drinking
0:08:10 > 0:08:12and driving anywhere else in the terminal.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The reason it's situated here,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17this is the main passenger flow,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21so it's a nice central area
0:08:21 > 0:08:24in the lounge.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28The malt houses that go on these units tend to see between
0:08:28 > 0:08:32a 500 and 600% uplift in sales.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34So, it's really good for them.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36It's definitely worth it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Thank you.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- CAMERAMAN:- Don't fancy a shot, then? - Eh, no!
0:08:41 > 0:08:43I'm not a golfer!
0:08:45 > 0:08:48The management team have to believe there is more
0:08:48 > 0:08:51commercial potential in the terminal building.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Excuse me, I'm doing a little survey for Edinburgh Airport.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- May I ask you a few questions while you're sitting here?- Um, sure.- Great.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00And the key to unlocking it?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Understanding what the modern traveller really wants.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Are you travelling today for business, leisure
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- or to visit friends and family? - Leisure.- Leisure.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11We do about 900 surveys per month at the airport.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13I think that what you're missing
0:09:13 > 0:09:18probably is a different variety of shops.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- And have you used the toilet facilities?- I have.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- And the spaciousness?- Excellent.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Plenty of room to get around with your hat?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27And how long did it take?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29We get a report every month,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and that's circulated to the management team,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and a lot of the key players
0:09:35 > 0:09:38in the airport as well, so we can get a good picture
0:09:38 > 0:09:41of what our passengers are saying about the airport.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- And overall, the ambiance?- I don't like the carpets.- Don't like carpet.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It's what Edinburgh Airport is all about at the moment,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52we're wanting to give a better experience to our passengers coming
0:09:52 > 0:09:58through the terminal, so we do a lot of customer analysis,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and that's what we'll be basing our new retail offering on
0:10:02 > 0:10:04in the next two years.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08And is there any comment you would like to make to Edinburgh Airport?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Bring the nail bar back!
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Airside, the pressure is on to keep the flight paths clear
0:10:18 > 0:10:21for their ever-expanding fleet of aircraft.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Operations.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- Right, catch you later. - Cheers.- See you later.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31So, the ground team undertake a little-known technique
0:10:31 > 0:10:33to keep bird strikes to a minimum.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Certainly a lovely morning.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42GUN FIRES Here you go.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Some people would call me a murdering you-know-what.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56The last thing we want's a bird strike with a gull.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Bird strikes cost the aviation industry over £700 million
0:11:00 > 0:11:04a year, so they're not taking any chances,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and their best man is on the job.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11In the Ops Department, I'm the most successful shooter we've got.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15We are number one in Britain, if not the world,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17for bird control.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22I feel I'm part of that, and it's great. I enjoy it.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29GUN FIRES Gulls are a pain in the arse.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I culled over 1,000 birds last year.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34To me, it's a piece of pish.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37Lesser black-back.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44One less to bother us.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Horrible bloody things.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Got a shotgun from my mum for my birthday
0:11:49 > 0:11:52when I was about 14 years old.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57In the local village, I used to go out and shoot rabbits, pigeons.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02So, it's something I've done ever since, so it's great. I love it.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04I love this job, I'd almost do it for nothing.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Almost!
0:12:08 > 0:12:11That's Runway One-Two vacated, Alpha One-Seven.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Brilliant. Thanks, John. Cheers, bye-bye.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20My friends like to say, "Get off my land," when they're
0:12:20 > 0:12:22talking about the firearms,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24cos they think we're like farmers.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- They just think we go out there and we're having fun!- Skin birds!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Whereas it's not fun, it's important.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38I think my mate, he introduces me to his friends as,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41"This is George, he's a bird-scarer at the Edinburgh Airport,"
0:12:41 > 0:12:43and then he leaves it at that, and I'm saying, "Eh, no,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- "there's more to it than that!" - There's more to it than that, yeah.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49Yuck.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02I see we've got a couple of buzzards down there on the fence.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Culling them, it's kind of hard,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06cos you've got to be very careful.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08You've got the public to think of.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16But a shotgun isn't the only weapon in the ground team's armoury.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19I'll see if I can shift them with a pyrotechnic.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25GUN FIRES
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Certainly not for moving.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33And if all else fails, it's time to break out the secret weapon.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35So, we've also got the digital scarecrow.
0:13:35 > 0:13:41Put that on, it gives off a distress call of the species of birds.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43BIRD CRIES There we go.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Just pushes them back, further back.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Personally, I prefer using the shotgun.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Once they're dead, they don't come back, they don't bother us.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56But that's me.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02The ground team track the nine-and-a-half-mile perimeter
0:14:02 > 0:14:06365 days a year to reduce the wildlife risk.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Suppose it's a bit like the Forth Road Bridge.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13You start at one end, once you get to one side, you start again.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15It's never-ending.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20As long as there's birds and planes, you've to keep at it.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23It's a damn near impossible job,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25but you just got to keep trying.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Occasionally, the airport don't keep the wildlife out.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37They invite them in.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40They said come in now. I've got heart palpitations!
0:14:41 > 0:14:43It's the Highland Show in a few weeks' time,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46so to coincide with that, we're bringing a Highland cow along
0:14:46 > 0:14:48to the airport, just to promote the Highland Show,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and obviously promote ourselves as being the gateway to Scotland.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53Yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01The top brass are keen to raise the airport's profile.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06And Suzie is just the latest in a series of PR stunts.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09A lot of the PR inside the terminal will centre around routes
0:15:09 > 0:15:10and supporting our airlines.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13We want to work very closely with our airlines to support them
0:15:13 > 0:15:16and make sure the Scottish public know where we fly to
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and how often we fly there and who we fly with.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20We want to focus on things that are new,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22things that are interesting.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25And anything that's a bit strange or quirky around the scenes there
0:15:25 > 0:15:28that's going to attract the attention of the media,
0:15:28 > 0:15:29then we're going to talk about it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33We're looking after the cows at Pollock Country Park in Glasgow,
0:15:33 > 0:15:34that's my job.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37So I thought I'd like to bring a wee bit of culture from Glasgow
0:15:37 > 0:15:39through to Edinburgh today.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- Good to go!- Well done, thank you very much!
0:15:53 > 0:15:56The commercial team aren't shy of trying new things,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59especially if it means flogging more whisky.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Plans are afoot for a pop-up shop to entice
0:16:03 > 0:16:06customers during the peak summer period.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12This has been specifically brought in for the Edinburgh Festival,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15because we've got such an uplift in foreign passengers
0:16:15 > 0:16:17coming through for the festival.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20We wanted to offer them travel exclusives,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24so you can only buy them in the airport when you're flying,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and also, most of them are taking a gift home from Scotland,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31so we wanted to incorporate the wrapping service and make it,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34you know, a one-stop gift shop.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39With the shop given a prime location,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43the target turnover has been set at 40 grand a week.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47If this isn't reached, the pop-up will be shut down.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58It's the first morning of trade.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Despite Gail's meticulous planning, there is no way to tell
0:17:02 > 0:17:05how successful it will be until the tills start ringing.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11To add to the pressure, managers from Grant's Whisky head office
0:17:11 > 0:17:13have come down to the opening.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16How do you think it's looking?
0:17:16 > 0:17:20You've been working on this for a long time.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Yeah, I like the bar idea, to get the passengers tasting our products,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27and that always tends to lead to sales.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So, overall, very pleased.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Good. No, as an airport we're absolutely delighted with it,
0:17:33 > 0:17:34it looks fantastic.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37It might look good,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40but taking money on the first day is going to be tricky.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44We've just got one slight hiccup, with the till not being installed.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47There's been a few little IT issues.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49It's like anything, when you try with something new,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52there's always going to be a couple of hiccups,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55but that will never stop us from doing new things.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57And here, we want to excite and delight our passengers.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59That's what we're about.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Yeah, I'm quite confident the till will definitely be
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- up and running by about 9:00. - OK, perfect.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06OK, and as soon as it's up, I will e-mail you and say,
0:18:06 > 0:18:07"Good to go, we're away!"
0:18:07 > 0:18:11But in the meantime, I'll go and check till one and come back to you.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13All right, OK. Thanks. She's gone.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- She's off.- You've scared her off!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18When the tills do get ringing,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21the price for a bottle of whisky in the new shop
0:18:21 > 0:18:25ranges from £28 to a colossal 15,000 -
0:18:25 > 0:18:28around £535 a dram.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29Some of these whiskies,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32they're so expensive that they're not for drinking,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34they're for investing in.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Get them home, get them insured and get them up the attic.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38You know?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41CAMERAMAN: Yeah. Well, that's the theory.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43That's the theory, aye, exactly.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Until one night they come in drunk!
0:18:46 > 0:18:49With its exclusive range, the shop attracts all comers,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53from the curious to the serious collector.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55I'm buying a Glenfiddich 125.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57It's not available on the high street,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I just picked up on that just now when I came through.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- OK, that's £50.99, please. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05CAMERAMAN: You're taking some whisky with you, then?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Yeah, going to introduce it to the Germans.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Here you go, sir, thanks very much.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12With the tills now fully operational,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15the specialist staff begin their sales blitz.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17£28.99, please.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27240, special offer.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31That's in special offers, sir, that's normally £100 -
0:19:31 > 0:19:33you're getting it today for only 73.99.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37I've always been in sales and I've, probably as you've gathered,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39got the gift of the gab.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40- Delicious.- Cheers!
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Ah, so you're running slightly late?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Just gives you time to have another light refreshment.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Or you can come in and taste a nice whisky instead.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Customers, majority are the nicest people in the world, so you can talk
0:19:54 > 0:19:57to them all day, and at the end of the day, you're getting paid for it.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58What more can I ask for, you know?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01350 for the 30-year-old Balvenie.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- It's a wedding gift, is it?- Yeah.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06And there's so much product knowledge about whisky,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10it's just one of those subjects that there's so much to know about it.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11It's so interesting.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14You've got Madeira cask, a bourbon cask or a red-wine cask.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- What would you prefer to try? - Bourbon, maybe?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19What's Madeira?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- Don't know.- What's Madeira?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23I really enjoy whisky, to be honest with you.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Yeah, we don't like whisky, but...
0:20:26 > 0:20:28All right.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Out on the runway, Chief Engineer Simon McCarroll is more concerned
0:20:35 > 0:20:39about the texture of the tarmac than the smoothness of the malts.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43There is a bit of a belief sometimes that the airport is very much
0:20:43 > 0:20:45a big shopping experience.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48However, without a runway, you haven't got an airport.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Without the runway, you haven't got those passengers passing
0:20:50 > 0:20:54through the terminal to use the shops. So therefore,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58the runway really is the most important asset of any airport.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Over the last 12 months, aircraft movements have increased by 14%,
0:21:04 > 0:21:09and 30,000 metric tonnes of aircraft now land and take off every day.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Edinburgh Tower, foxtrot, vacated runway two-four
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and is holding at alpha-eight.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Foxtrot to relax.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28More aircraft means more wear and tear to the runway,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31and it also makes life tricky for Simon
0:21:31 > 0:21:33when taking a closer look.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37There's the flight that's coming in to land now,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39there's the aircraft ahead of us that's just landed,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41there's another one ahead that's taxiing.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44So, it's very much me being in-between aircraft
0:21:44 > 0:21:45moving in and out.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I describe it as saying I'm playing chicken on the runway.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Possibly not the most professional description,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54but that's how I describe it.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03When there is a gap in the traffic,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05it's essential to have a dedicated driver
0:22:05 > 0:22:09to keep the engine running, just in case he needs a fast getaway.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15This here is an underlying duct that's feeding an old light fitting,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17and you can see the shadow of the light fitting up there
0:22:17 > 0:22:19that's been banded as well.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21This will then get overbanded,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23I'll get some additional overbanding to make sure
0:22:23 > 0:22:26that all these additional cracks are covered to stop any water
0:22:26 > 0:22:30getting into the pavement that would then cause additional deterioration.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34We'll need to make sure this area gets picked up for works
0:22:34 > 0:22:36that we're wanting to do in October this year.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40There's 136 areas on the runway that we're wanting to address
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and make sure we're managing to continue that they're safe.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- CAR HORN BEEPS - Sorry, we need to go.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56The extensive repairs Simon is planning for are no small matter.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58The runway will have to close for four nights,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02with a price tag of well over half a million pounds.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10The runway's most-frequent flier is easyJet.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13They've just signed a new deal to carry three million passengers
0:23:13 > 0:23:15in and out of the airport each year.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20We're the airport's largest airline, and Scotland's largest airline,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22by quite a few million passengers each year.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25We have over 50 destinations out of Scotland, over 30 out of Edinburgh.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30We put two extra aircraft in in summer 2013, six new routes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33We're putting two new routes in in summer '14.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34So, we commit to putting routes in.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36But as an airport, what GIP does in
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Edinburgh is they commit to making sure the infrastructure's there.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43For low-cost airlines, time is money.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Every minute spent on the ground
0:23:45 > 0:23:48means less time flying paying customers.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50The aircraft is just about to come onto stand,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54the ground team are all prepared for it and ready to put the chocks on,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58the cones out, the steps so the passengers can disembark.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01The aircraft turnaround is tightly managed.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Every minute is accounted for in the airline's timetable.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06This is our turn card,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10so we tend to work towards these timings wherever possible.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12We have 25 minutes from the aircraft
0:24:12 > 0:24:16pulling onto stand in order to get
0:24:16 > 0:24:20it disembarked, offloaded and then all the passengers boarded
0:24:20 > 0:24:21and ready to push.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28The airline banks on passengers
0:24:28 > 0:24:31not wanting to hang around after a long flight.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35But with the next holiday-makers already queuing to board,
0:24:35 > 0:24:40the cabin crew are given just eight minutes to do the clear-up job.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- CAMERAMAN: Pretty tight, eh? - Very, yeah.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Especially when you've had a really busy flight
0:24:45 > 0:24:46and there's lots of rubbish left behind.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50It's usually just the norm,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52food, magazines.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I've not really had anything unusual yet.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Um, items of underwear!
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I won't be more specific.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04THEY LAUGH
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Get a lot of stag parties,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09so they always want pictures of the girls that are on.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11You had any proposals, any phone numbers?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- Mmm... - SHE LAUGHS
0:25:13 > 0:25:15A few, maybe!
0:25:16 > 0:25:18It's a very, very tight timeline, you know.
0:25:18 > 0:25:2025 minutes, 30 minutes is not a lot
0:25:20 > 0:25:22when you're boarding 156 or 180 passengers.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24It's very, very busy.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Ready? We'll get them.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30That's us. Passengers are on their way now.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34People for 3Z96945,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37please board now at Departure Gate Number 2.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42Thank you.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Good morning.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Thank you very much, there you go.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01We're boarding passengers.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04We're now at minus 20 to departure time.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07However, we are a little bit ahead of ourselves.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We aim to get all passengers on board for minus five.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The scheduled departure time is 8:40, so we're now at 8:31.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19So, we've still got nine minutes in order to get out on time.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21Good morning. Thank you.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- ENGINE ROARS - All's going to plan.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29With fuel, luggage and passengers packed in
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and safety checks complete,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34the ground staff have hit their target of under 25 minutes...
0:26:37 > 0:26:41..leaving just 49 more easyJet flights to go today.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46But not every airline operates the low-cost model.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56It's launch day for BA's new executive lounge.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Here, even the haggis balls have their own seat.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12I'd just like to introduce the Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Dewar,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16who, without his team's help, none of this could be possible.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Good afternoon. It is fantastic to see a sort of physical
0:27:21 > 0:27:24representation of the power of partnership.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27And things like this are just the physical realisation
0:27:27 > 0:27:30of everything that's gone into that, so, just to say, thanks for coming.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Thanks for being amongst the best partners
0:27:32 > 0:27:35we could possibly hope for, and a huge success going forward.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Thank you very much.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48The bill for the new facilities is 1.5 million,
0:27:48 > 0:27:53the biggest investment BA has ever made in a Scottish airport.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55So, I think this is a great example of the ambition we have.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58We can't do it ourselves, we've got to work with the airlines.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It's about them providing choice and the routes, and of course
0:28:01 > 0:28:03new routes, and providing the facilities that
0:28:03 > 0:28:04we can both be proud of.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07That's benefit for passengers, it's benefit for Scotland's economy,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09it's benefit for our business
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and, of course, a benefit for the airlines.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16The terminal may now house the very best amenities for the elite,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18but with thousands of ordinary passengers' safety in their hands,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22the modern airport always has to be ready for the worst.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29RADIO CHATTER
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Edinburgh has just been put on full alert.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40The tower has reports of an incoming plane
0:28:40 > 0:28:44with loss of power to the port engine due to a bird strike.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Runways One-Two,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49aircraft type Fokker 27, 13 POB.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Nature of trouble, multiple bird strike,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55and ETA 19:40. Read back.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59It's 86206. Received message in the terminal.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Aircraft taxiing imminent, can all sets please attend at the RVP?
0:29:03 > 0:29:05The tower controllers follow a strict procedure,
0:29:05 > 0:29:10informing all airport emergency services and airport management.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Hello, Airport Police, Stephen Riddle, can I help you?
0:29:13 > 0:29:1519:40, thank you.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Airport Police.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19The stricken plane is nine minutes away,
0:29:19 > 0:29:22and a decision is made to clear the runway.
0:29:22 > 0:29:2530-0-5, just hold everybody off now.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Within minutes, the senior management gather in offices
0:29:31 > 0:29:34adjacent to the terminal building to assess the level of the crisis
0:29:34 > 0:29:37and check emergency procedures.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42As the airport's fire service rush into position,
0:29:42 > 0:29:46the air-traffic controllers contact the external emergency services,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50giving instructions on RV.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Hello, Lothian and Borders, Edinburgh Tower.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Full emergency.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56And it's Runway One-Two.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58That's 301 in attendance.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00301, right, OK. Can we get that put on the board, please?
0:30:00 > 0:30:02301 in attendance.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06So, once it's down, we're going to go out there.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Right, Tom.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11But whilst the entire airport is on high alert, this is just
0:30:11 > 0:30:15a full-scale simulation called an Emergency Preparedness Test.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18There is no stricken plane.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21RADIO CHATTER
0:30:21 > 0:30:23So, the whole point of running an annual exercise is making
0:30:23 > 0:30:27sure that the plan actually does what it says on the tin.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29And we identify if there's any shortfalls.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31SIRENS
0:30:31 > 0:30:33OK, thanks, mate. Cheers.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37The test is made as real as possible
0:30:37 > 0:30:40because the airport's licence depends on it.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43The Civil Aviation Authority sets a variety
0:30:43 > 0:30:46of scenarios to road test safety,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49and they're on site to observe the airport's response.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52We're looking for the crisis-management team
0:30:52 > 0:30:54to do what their responsibility is,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56and that is to provide support to
0:30:56 > 0:30:59the people out in the field who are responding to the accident,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02as well as to the people in the terminal and the reception area.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06To enhance the experience, the dummy plane has volunteers on board,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08playing the role of dazed passengers.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10We may ask them to take their role quite seriously,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15and elaborate in depending on how much pain they're in, let's say,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18to try and make the exercise as realistic as possible.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20We did an exercise a number of years ago,
0:31:20 > 0:31:24and one individual in particular had to be
0:31:24 > 0:31:27marched off the actual exercise ground,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30cos this individual took things a bit too serious
0:31:30 > 0:31:33and there was almost a fight broke out.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I think he got a bit excited about what he was doing
0:31:35 > 0:31:39and he certainly, uh... His acting wasn't that great.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Information is intentionally patchy.
0:31:45 > 0:31:46The emergency services
0:31:46 > 0:31:50and management involved are given just fragments of information
0:31:50 > 0:31:53to let them work out for themselves
0:31:53 > 0:31:55the size and scale of the emergency.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58We're advised that we've got ten passengers,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01three aircrew and we have no known serious injuries or fatalities,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and in fact, all have now been recovered to the reception centre,
0:32:04 > 0:32:05which is great news.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08The first hour in is really just a data-gathering exercise.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11You've got to put your trust in the guys out front to
0:32:11 > 0:32:14one, do their job right and two, ask for help if they need assistance.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17So, the fact there's silence from the front is actually a really
0:32:17 > 0:32:20good sign, it means they're probably doing their job really easily.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24To test the crisis response further,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28the CAA scenario included an extra element.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33What would happen if the emergency services failed to spot a fuel leak?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Director 11 from Director 1, over.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38The aircraft is being made safe...
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Throughout the exercise, there is
0:32:40 > 0:32:43a few wee testers that are put in,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47and that is obviously dynamic assessment that the individual
0:32:47 > 0:32:50needs to carry out, how they're going to deal with it.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Cos if we told everybody everything,
0:32:52 > 0:32:55then it would be too easy to plan for.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Leaking fuel is not the only problem.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59In the event of any legal proceedings,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01the rescued crew and passengers
0:33:01 > 0:33:05must be kept apart until they have been properly interviewed.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Right, OK.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10So, we've got airline staff and we've got passengers on the same bus.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15No.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18It just feels like chaos.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26It's maybe even more chaotic than a real live incident, to be honest.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Because of the number of extra people.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31So, they're hanging about, and you're thinking, well,
0:33:31 > 0:33:32who's in charge?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Every detail of the test is recorded and monitored.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Regardless of what goes right or wrong on the night, the team will
0:33:41 > 0:33:44use the information to help minimise the risks
0:33:44 > 0:33:46in case of a real incident.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50If we didn't come away with action points, I'm sure it would
0:33:50 > 0:33:53just be a tick-in-the-box exercise, and there's no point in doing that.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57And real incidents do happen.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Gordon Dewar was the Managing Director of Glasgow Airport
0:34:00 > 0:34:03on the day of their biggest emergency.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I was in Glasgow when we had the terrorist attack there
0:34:06 > 0:34:10and that's genuinely high-adrenaline stuff, where first of all,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13you're worried about people's safety and life,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16and even when you've realised that, thankfully, that time, there was
0:34:16 > 0:34:20nobody we cared about who had been badly hurt or killed, thankfully,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23you've then got a real issue of substantial damage to the building.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25How long is it going to take before you can get
0:34:25 > 0:34:26the business up and running again?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29We had something like 6,000 people queuing up outside the airport,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31wanting to go on their holidays.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34And you start getting an interesting level of conflict where
0:34:34 > 0:34:37the police are rightfully wanting to protect the evidence,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40but my tension is I want my airport back, please.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Now, you know, I would never wish it on anyone,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45and not only was it a very frightening experience for us
0:34:45 > 0:34:48and a very unwelcome one, it also cost four million quid
0:34:48 > 0:34:51for the business, and not something you want to be doing very often.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53But in a funny sort of way, these sorts of...
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Even the exercises are really great for teamwork,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58cos people don't understand just how much you can achieve
0:34:58 > 0:35:00if you operate together as a team with shared goals
0:35:00 > 0:35:03and shared understanding of how we're going to do things.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06As part of the crisis area,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Gordon has set up a dedicated business recovery room.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12And the other thing we're starting to think about is any
0:35:12 > 0:35:14impact on tomorrow morning's start up,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16with people arriving either early, got questions.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19So, we've set ourselves up ready to accommodate those
0:35:19 > 0:35:20- questions in the morning.- OK.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23As much as it's important to make sure we're dealing with the
0:35:23 > 0:35:26here and now, it's important that we think about the future.
0:35:26 > 0:35:27And as this happened in the evening,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29we need to make sure that we're ready
0:35:29 > 0:35:31for the start up in the morning.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34So, some of the things we're thinking about is
0:35:34 > 0:35:37what the passengers are likely to be responding to this.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38So, will they turn up early tomorrow?
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Will some not want to turn up at all?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Does it affect the schedule tomorrow morning with respect
0:35:43 > 0:35:45to any diversions? And we'll progress from there, really.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48It's just keeping it live and keeping it ahead of the game
0:35:48 > 0:35:51so that we're ready for whatever comes.
0:35:51 > 0:35:52Keeping one eye on safety
0:35:52 > 0:35:55and the other on business is essential to
0:35:55 > 0:35:59the modern, privately-owned airport, as closure could lose
0:35:59 > 0:36:03up to half a million pounds a day in costs and lost revenue.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Ah, right. Gord, I think you took the update from Brons?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Yeah, to say that the incident
0:36:09 > 0:36:12at 9:15 was stood down at the plane,
0:36:12 > 0:36:13and we've just had news that
0:36:13 > 0:36:15the reception centre has been stood down, as well.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18So, effectively, I think the incident, per se, is done.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20We'll get a formal close in a minute.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23OK, thank you very much for a very slick operation.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Well done, and we'll get a chance to have a debrief on this tomorrow.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29We'll have a hot debrief tonight but we'll get a proper chance after.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30Thank you for your time.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35The Emergency Preparedness Test
0:36:35 > 0:36:37simulates the threat of complete shutdown.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Hello, Control Centre.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46Ambulance, uh-huh?
0:36:46 > 0:36:50But every day at the airport, staff deal with smaller emergencies,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53many of which can be just as life-threatening.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Stand Four, thanks, Air Traffic.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01So, that's an ambulance required for
0:37:01 > 0:37:05an inbound flight from Milan with easyJet.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06Ambulance, please.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Edinburgh Airport, Stand Four.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15Rendezvous at the Hilton Hotel.
0:37:15 > 0:37:1872-year-old male passenger
0:37:18 > 0:37:21has suffered a stroke.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Seated in seat one, echo.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Hi, it's the Control Centre Sergeant.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We're going to have an ambulance coming in to Stand Four.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37We've got a medical emergency on board the aircraft.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41OK, thank you. Thanks, bye-bye.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Now, because it's on an aircraft,
0:37:45 > 0:37:50the airport fire service would be the ones to attend as
0:37:50 > 0:37:53first aiders if the ambulance was going to be late.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01David, just if you need a hand on the first-aid call, give me a shout
0:38:01 > 0:38:04on the radio and I'll pop over, and I don't mind helping if you need it.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09The fire service can stand down, as the ambulance has arrived
0:38:09 > 0:38:12and the passenger is taken to hospital.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14PHONE RINGS
0:38:14 > 0:38:19Hello, Control Centre. OK. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22As with most busy travel hubs,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25ambulances are called nearly every week,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but it's not always the passengers who need them.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32I've had a couple of ambulances come for me, I suppose.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38The first time was many years ago, before the extension was built,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42and I did take a funny turn in the airport one night.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Um, people'll have you think it was the egg sandwiches
0:38:45 > 0:38:48I made for everyone's supper,
0:38:48 > 0:38:50but it was nothing to do with those.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54The Duty Manager even threw hers in the bucket after I took the turn.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- She was scared to eat them. - SHE LAUGHS
0:38:56 > 0:38:58I don't believe it myself.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Who was that?
0:39:00 > 0:39:01- Liz. - SHE LAUGHS
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Over the summer, a larger-than-usual number of gulls has been
0:39:12 > 0:39:14reported passing directly over the airfield.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18The gulls are crossing from Cramond sands,
0:39:18 > 0:39:23they're crossing from here, or Cramond sands, across the airfield.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26They're usually heading for Levenseat...
0:39:26 > 0:39:29the refuse tip, or whatever it is.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32But the Airfield Ops Teams believe they can keep
0:39:32 > 0:39:35the bird numbers down by expanding their horizons.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Levenseat is one of the biggest landfill sites in Scotland,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45and is 23 kilometres west of the airport.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Site Manager Kenny Lang believes it's probably
0:39:49 > 0:39:52the source of attracting more birds to the area.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54The gulls will come here simply
0:39:54 > 0:39:56because it's like a big hotel for them.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57There's plenty of food here,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00even in the waste that you throw away without food waste,
0:40:00 > 0:40:04they'll still find food for themselves in amongst the waste,
0:40:04 > 0:40:06and so we have to keep the birds away from here.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10They're not coming here to feed, then we're on to a good thing.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14The airport authorities have control over bird management
0:40:14 > 0:40:16in any nearby localities
0:40:16 > 0:40:19if they believe it presents a danger to aircraft.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23So, Ops Manager Scot is paying the site regular visits.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26I try to come out as often as I can to see Kenny and his team.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Once every couple of months or maybe less than that.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Kenny's been to the airport to see me for his training as well,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35along with some other members of the team, too.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38All the same, as much as possible, we're here for a bit of support.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41It's a new process to Kenny and the guys here,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44it's something we've been doing at the airport for a long, long time.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Scot and Kenny have been working together for a solution
0:40:49 > 0:40:52to the increase in gull activity for several months.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56GUN FIRES
0:41:00 > 0:41:02That's enough to scare anything off that's roundabout.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04I don't know whether the camera can catch them
0:41:04 > 0:41:06away down on the green field,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10there's about 500 have lifted off the ground even with that noise as well.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Well, we can get a couple thousand at a time on here.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17A couple of thousand's quite a sight,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19when they're all squawking and screeching.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Although bird control is a major part of the Airfield Ops Team's job,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29there are other types of animals that they have to
0:41:29 > 0:41:33watch out for, and overnight there has been an unusual incident.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37So, an aircraft's hit a fox on what we think was landing.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We can't confirm that,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43because there isn't any evidence
0:41:43 > 0:41:47on aircraft of the strike happening. But it certainly happened,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49because these are the photos.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52This is the point of impact here,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55and on a fashion, the actual spray,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59and you can see all the different parts of the animal.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01That's the actual fox there.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05So, it's been knocked maybe 20, 25 metres.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08And it's part and parcel.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11We expect these things to happen, but it depends on your luck as well.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15Sometimes you can get a nice, clean strike, it's knocked over,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19carcass doesn't split. Sometimes it can be, as you've probably seen,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21quite gory and a bit mucky.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23It's the first fox strike I've seen.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28But hares, had a few of them.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29Never a fox.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I have shot a few foxes, but...
0:42:32 > 0:42:34We can never be complacent in what we do.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37The last few years, we've been a lot more proactive in what
0:42:37 > 0:42:40we do at Edinburgh, and it's shown through our audits as well.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42In looking at stats, I can see a definite
0:42:42 > 0:42:46up to 50% drop in activity in certain areas of the airfield.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50At the end of the day, the aim of making the airspace
0:42:50 > 0:42:52surrounding Edinburgh as safe as possible.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Bringing money in from airlines is the main source of airport revenue,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and one of the regular users of the airport is Jet2,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06the low-cost holiday airline.
0:43:06 > 0:43:07PHONE RINGS
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Jet2.com, Fiona speaking.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15Station Manager Fiona Black runs the day-to-day operations.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18I've worked in aviation for nearly 25 years.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Always in ground-handling.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24It's a travel thing, really.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25I worked in a travel agents for a year
0:43:25 > 0:43:27or so before I started working at the airport.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31But I think probably many people will say that work in this
0:43:31 > 0:43:34business, is that it does get under your skin.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36And it's kind of difficult to get out.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40I did try once, about six years ago,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43to try and escape, but it didn't work.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48- And that's you guys there. - Thanks.- OK? Have a good holiday.
0:43:50 > 0:43:51Next, please.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57Jet2 stand out from other airlines by using a different business model.
0:43:57 > 0:44:00They employ their own terminal handling staff
0:44:00 > 0:44:03and own their fleet of aircraft outright.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07The aim is to achieve a customer-friendly, personal service.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09- Hi there.- Hi.- Can I just give you one of them?
0:44:09 > 0:44:11It's just an information bulletin
0:44:11 > 0:44:12about the air traffic control strike.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15We're going to try and keep the delays to a minimum,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- hopefully only about half an hour for this flight. OK?- OK. Thank you.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Well, it's a strike of air traffic controllers in France,
0:44:21 > 0:44:24I don't think all the unions have gone on strike today, so the delays
0:44:24 > 0:44:27are fairly minimal, about half an hour or so on this flight.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30It's not anything that us as an airline have got any control over.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32But the most important thing we can do is
0:44:32 > 0:44:34give our customers as much information as possible.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37We're boarding on time because some of the slots are coming forward.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41- Right.- As soon as you kind of hear the word air traffic and strike
0:44:41 > 0:44:43and French, people are quite understanding.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53As part of their Edinburgh business model,
0:44:53 > 0:44:57all Jet2 aircraft are scheduled to return to base in the late
0:44:57 > 0:45:01afternoon to begin their other money-making duties.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05Every day, once all the customers have disembarked the aircraft,
0:45:05 > 0:45:08and once all the baggage has been off-loaded,
0:45:08 > 0:45:12we get the aircraft towed away to another part of the airfield,
0:45:12 > 0:45:14completely different part of the airfield,
0:45:14 > 0:45:18and then something very different happens with the aircraft.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33Our aircraft do passenger flights to a lot of holiday destinations,
0:45:33 > 0:45:37and the aircraft, once they've completed those flights,
0:45:37 > 0:45:39usually sort of mid to late afternoon,
0:45:39 > 0:45:44we then use the aircraft to carry Royal Mail to mail centres
0:45:44 > 0:45:47down in England, in East Midlands and in Stansted.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56The way that we do that is by
0:45:56 > 0:46:00taking the seats out of the main body of the aircraft.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04The team prepare all four of the roll-on/roll-off aircraft,
0:46:04 > 0:46:08ready for the arrival of the outgoing Royal Mail cargo.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29We first started this process many years ago at probably 45 minutes,
0:46:29 > 0:46:33but we've got it obviously staffed up, obviously slick movement
0:46:33 > 0:46:35and that, so probably 20 minutes now it takes.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40The carcass lies empty, waiting for dusk
0:46:40 > 0:46:42and the next phase of the metamorphosis.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Over in the departure lounge,
0:46:48 > 0:46:51for once, things are looking quite quiet.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53Well, it's a typical Saturday in the airport.
0:46:53 > 0:46:59Started off really, really busy this morning. But it's died a death.
0:46:59 > 0:47:03A lot of people come to Edinburgh Airport over the weekend,
0:47:03 > 0:47:06so they want to spend the weekend in Edinburgh, obviously the
0:47:06 > 0:47:09capital of Scotland, so they want to do the tourist stuff.
0:47:09 > 0:47:10So, they come on the Friday
0:47:10 > 0:47:13and usually get away maybe the Sunday or the Monday.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17So, the Saturday in the airport is really quite quiet at night.
0:47:17 > 0:47:22But we've got a flight going to Tokyo at 11:10,
0:47:22 > 0:47:25and hopefully they should be coming through shortly,
0:47:25 > 0:47:28so a lot of foreign guests to hopefully buy some of our whisky.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31CAMERAMAN: Are the Japanese big customers here for whisky?
0:47:31 > 0:47:33Very much so, aye. They love it.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36They come in and they'll sort of look at the bottle and say,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38"How much and how old?" In that order.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43As the airport takes a cut of every shop's profit, the retail team
0:47:43 > 0:47:47have been keen to spread the news of their eminent special guests.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51Gail has kept us informed right from the beginning, really, that this
0:47:51 > 0:47:55was happening, and given us an opportunity to prepare for this.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59Specialising in Scottish clothing and jewellery, Pat Davidson's shop,
0:47:59 > 0:48:05the Liquorice Tree, is tonight taking a gamble on extra sales.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09They've been all round Europe, and as far as I'm aware,
0:48:09 > 0:48:12this is their last stop before they head back to Japan,
0:48:12 > 0:48:15so there's 162 customers
0:48:15 > 0:48:21who are coming through probably a bit later
0:48:21 > 0:48:25than we would normally have flights going out,
0:48:25 > 0:48:30so we've decided to stay open that wee bit later for them
0:48:30 > 0:48:35and let them see the nice Scottish cashmere that we've got.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38We're hoping that the presentation as well as the quality
0:48:38 > 0:48:42of the product will be appealing.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46So, we've been busily wrapping 550 cashmere scarves,
0:48:46 > 0:48:49the staff have done a great job.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53So, if everything's pre-wrapped, it'll mean that they can go and try
0:48:53 > 0:48:56the whisky stands and try all the other shops that are around as well.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01It's a big opportunity and Pat has left nothing to chance.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05- SHE LAUGHS - Can't read it in Japanese,
0:49:05 > 0:49:07but I can tell you what it says.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09It says, "Welcome to the Liquorice Tree,
0:49:09 > 0:49:12"we hope you like our selection of gifts.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14"We're happy to gift wrap things for you.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16"Thank you for visiting the Liquorice Tree,
0:49:16 > 0:49:20"and we hope you enjoyed your trip to Scotland." So, I hope
0:49:20 > 0:49:22the person that's translated it hasn't put something that's
0:49:22 > 0:49:27totally rude or, you know, not what I asked them to put on,
0:49:27 > 0:49:29cos that would be a bit of a disaster,
0:49:29 > 0:49:31so I'm trusting that that's what it does say.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43As darkness falls, the airport's cargo area receives
0:49:43 > 0:49:47truckloads of First and Second-Class mail from all over Scotland.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50The mail has been packed and wrapped in custom-built
0:49:50 > 0:49:53containers in sorting offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Each pallet weights two tonnes.
0:49:59 > 0:50:04The specially-built 737s can cope with up to eight full pallets
0:50:04 > 0:50:07containing around 1.6 million letters.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15OK, fuel is 6.5, four pumps are on,
0:50:15 > 0:50:20passenger signs are off.
0:50:20 > 0:50:25- Taxi take off brief is complete, and mobile phones?- Is off.
0:50:25 > 0:50:26Clear for start.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33The Royal Mail are the largest air cargo operator in the UK,
0:50:33 > 0:50:37flying more than 20 planes every night to 17 airports.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41The first of the four mail flights is on its way
0:50:41 > 0:50:44just 20 minutes after the pallets arrived at the depot.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Back at the terminal, the Japanese tourists
0:50:54 > 0:50:58and their wallets finally arrive, an hour and a half late.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03For some retailers, including the new pop-up shop,
0:51:03 > 0:51:07the delay has put them off, so they've packed up and gone home.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10The tourist head count is 162.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13Safely through check-in and security,
0:51:13 > 0:51:17- they are released into the shopping area.- Hi.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19Konnichiwa. Would you like to try?
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Would you like to try one of these, madam?
0:51:21 > 0:51:24The ladies over there tried one, they do try them, but not everyone.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27CAMERAMAN: And what did you say in Japanese?
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Um, just a minute, wait until I get the right word.
0:51:31 > 0:51:32Konnichiwa.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Might not be totally correct,
0:51:34 > 0:51:37- but they repeat it, so it can't be too bad.- Yeah.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40And sayonara when they're leaving.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42We try and make them feel welcome and make them
0:51:42 > 0:51:46feel at ease before they go into the store.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50Hello, would you like to try one of these Eccles cakes, sir?
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Hi, would you like to try an Eccles cake? Would you like to try?
0:51:54 > 0:51:58It's totally free. Would you like to try?
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Pat's sign seems to be doing the trick.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04So, it's 282.87 going on your card.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08From £80 cashmere scarves to £1 postcards,
0:52:08 > 0:52:12no sale is small enough to be turned away.
0:52:12 > 0:52:17To my parents, I try to send it from every places,
0:52:17 > 0:52:19tell my friends that I'm fine,
0:52:19 > 0:52:22enjoying the trip.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27- Do you know how long it takes to Japan?- No.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- I know it takes about a week to go to America.- A week, so...
0:52:30 > 0:52:33- It might be about that.- OK, so...
0:52:33 > 0:52:36In a week, I will be in a different country already.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45But she's missed the last post,
0:52:45 > 0:52:49as the last of the four Jet2 planes load up.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05There you go, thank you very much.
0:53:05 > 0:53:10- Thank you.- Sayonara, thank you.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13With the clocks ticking, the Japanese tourists make one
0:53:13 > 0:53:16last rush for souvenirs on their way to the departure gate.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23It's £86.95.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25That's 1.99.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28So, all together, that comes to £40.05.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Thank you, £25.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34But for Pat Davidson at the Liquorice Tree,
0:53:34 > 0:53:36has the gamble to stay paid off?
0:53:36 > 0:53:38We're delighted how it's went.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41We certainly had a mixture of customers buying things that
0:53:41 > 0:53:44were perhaps not what we initially envisaged them buying.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48The cashmere scarves weren't our number-one seller, but certainly
0:53:48 > 0:53:50there was a lot of interest in Harris Tweed,
0:53:50 > 0:53:52and we've had a really successful evening.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54- We're glad that we stayed open. It was worth doing.- Thank you.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56You're welcome, no problem.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58We certainly thought it was a valuable experience.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01We've learned a lot about the type of things that they want
0:54:01 > 0:54:02when they're coming in on a charter.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11But even after the last flight leaves,
0:54:11 > 0:54:13work doesn't stop for the airport staff.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15Edinburgh Tower, Alpha-One,
0:54:15 > 0:54:19can I have permission to enter Runway 0624 to join the main works party?
0:54:20 > 0:54:22- RADIO:- Confirming that.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Copy that, Foxtrot, entering 06, thank you.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27This is the last of four nights
0:54:27 > 0:54:30of runway repairs, all overseen by Simon McCarroll.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35So, the first place has been completed here.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37It's been rolled and it's cooling off,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40that's all the steam that's coming off the hot asphalt, there.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43We're getting ready to do another planing
0:54:43 > 0:54:44to get down to a deeper level.
0:54:47 > 0:54:48And you'll see very shortly the machine
0:54:48 > 0:54:50will start digging it all out.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55It pours through it and it digs it out,
0:54:55 > 0:54:57much like a cheese grater, except for asphalt.
0:55:00 > 0:55:04The repairs to the airport's major asset
0:55:04 > 0:55:06are ahead of schedule and on budget.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09And for Simon, tonight's work has a very special significance.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14These are my last set of pavement works on the main
0:55:14 > 0:55:18runway at Edinburgh Airport. I am shortly leaving Edinburgh Airport.
0:55:18 > 0:55:23There are lots of things that I'll miss about Edinburgh Airport.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26This work out here tonight, that's all taking place
0:55:26 > 0:55:31because I'm out here, looking at the runway daily, weekly, monthly,
0:55:31 > 0:55:35and saying, "We need to do something here." And so everything that
0:55:35 > 0:55:39we're seeing here tonight is being driven because of me.
0:55:39 > 0:55:41That's a really good feeling,
0:55:41 > 0:55:44to be able to say that this is something tangible that I've done.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47It's not just a couple of pennies that we're
0:55:47 > 0:55:48spending on the runway tonight.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50It's significant sums of money.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01Edinburgh Tower, Foxtrot has vacated Runway 06,
0:56:01 > 0:56:04and that's us complete for the night.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Thanks for your help.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13I'll really miss a lot of the guys and the girls that I've worked with.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16They're a lot of good fun and we have a lot of laughs.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22With new routes announced for 2014
0:56:22 > 0:56:28to Philadelphia, Chicago, Doha, Stavanger and Oslo,
0:56:28 > 0:56:31Simon leaves behind a rapidly-expanding business
0:56:31 > 0:56:33and a unique environment.
0:56:33 > 0:56:37It's more than just a bus stop or a railway station,
0:56:37 > 0:56:40it's like a village.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43To me, it's one big community.
0:56:43 > 0:56:49It's like a little town that's got lots of different companies
0:56:49 > 0:56:53all working together, as cheesy as it sounds, like one big family.
0:56:53 > 0:56:57It's got a lifeblood, it's got a pulse to its very being.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04It functions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06It's just endless.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08It is a mini city.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10It's a place where people come and meet friends,
0:57:10 > 0:57:12say goodbye to relatives,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15so there's a lot of hugs and kisses.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17There's a lot of tears.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Goodbye!
0:57:19 > 0:57:21I'm going to start crying now!
0:57:26 > 0:57:30It's a gateway. It's an ability to connect people.
0:57:30 > 0:57:32The best journey through the airport is the one
0:57:32 > 0:57:33where you almost don't think about it,
0:57:33 > 0:57:37it's just so smooth that you're far more concerned about finding
0:57:37 > 0:57:39a nice place to sit down and watch the world go by with
0:57:39 > 0:57:41a cup of coffee than you are about, "Where's my gate?,"
0:57:41 > 0:57:43and, "What time am I meant to be boarding?"
0:57:43 > 0:57:46And if we can get to that situation where people feel relaxed
0:57:46 > 0:57:49cos they want to go off and buy an expensive watch or sit in the bar,
0:57:49 > 0:57:52or whatever it is, then we've done our job in a really good way.