Lothian is introducing double-deckers to its Skylink 200 airport service in response to increasing demand.
The North Edinburgh-Edinburgh Airport route, launched in April, now carries 10,000 people per week.
The higher-capacity buses also meet Euro 6 and have been newly-liveried for this route.
Lothian is also rebranding its route 35 to become Skylink 300 from 1 October.
An investment of £6m, including £1.5m from the Scottish Green Bus Fund, will see 20 new hybrid buses introduced. The fleet offers USB charging, free WiFi, flight departure information and dedicated luggage areas.
Fares to Edinburgh Airport on Skylink 300 will be brought into line with those on other airport services, “reflecting the improved vehicles operating on that route.” The timetable and fares for other parts of the route are unaffected.
Richard Hall, managing director, Lothian said: “We’re delighted with how popular our Edinburgh Airport services are with customers. The introduction of these new and upgraded vehicles across both routes is the right time to simplify the range of options that we offer.
“Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport and one of the fastest growing airports in the UK, especially for international flights, and we’ll keep working with its management to provide great connections for everyone who uses it.”
In the last ten years Edinburgh Airport has invested £219m in new facilities, including £25m on the landside terminal extension and security hall. Lothian aims to provide flyers from the city with convenient and cost-effective options of travel to and from the airport, reducing the pressure from increased traffic on surrounding roads.
Richard Townsend, director of Retail and Property, Edinburgh Airport said: “Making sure people can arrive at the airport and get into our stunning capital as quickly and smoothly as possible is key to a positive experience, and Lothian’s continued support in playing its part in that excellent local transport network is very much welcomed.
“Their investment means they can now offer a fleet with the latest technology, including live departure information in a first for any airport service so customers can relax and enjoy the sights as they head back to Scotland’s busiest airport.”
The new services benefit air travellers, but also many of the airport’s employees, airline crew, RBS staff looking to travel to Gogarburn and students attending Edinburgh College, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of all these major businesses.
