Scottish airports warn rising business rates could threaten jobs and routes

Major Scottish airports have warned that sharp increases in business rates could put jobs, future investment and flight connections at risk, as new property valuations due to take effect in April 2026 are set to dramatically increase their tax bills.

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Edinburgh Airport says its rateable value has risen significantly, which could lead to an annual bill rising from about £5.4m to almost £20.6m if appeals are unsuccessful. Glasgow and Aberdeen airports are also facing substantial increases. The airports argue that steep rises threaten growth and the region’s global connectivity.

In Scotland, business rate valuations are set independently by local assessors and published ahead of the new rating period. Councils then multiply the rateable value by a “poundage” set by the Scottish Government to calculate the final bill.

The increases have arisen in part from the 2026 revaluation cycle, which uses updated economic and rental data and in some cases new valuation methodologies that have pushed up rateable values since the previous assessment. This has prompted concern among airports and other sectors that the tax burden is growing faster than underlying economic conditions.

Airport representatives stressed that while they acknowledge the statutory role of business rates in funding local services, the scale of the increases could constrain investment in infrastructure and services, limit job growth and make it harder to sustain existing air routes.