Don't go to Edinburgh Airport to see the Pope arrive

09.09.10

People have been warned not to go to Edinburgh Airport to greet the Pope when he flies in to Scotland next week, the Evening News reports. Airport bosses fear crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff when he touches down next Thursday could cause chaos for passengers, who have been warned to expect road closures on the day. Security arrangements for the arrival mean there will be little, if anything, to see.

Pope Benedict XVI will fly into the Turnhouse side of the airport, well away from the main terminal buildings. He will be greeted on the tarmac by the Duke of Edinburgh and a small welcoming party as he steps off his specially-chartered plane at the start of his 4 day visit to the UK.

He will then be driven by limousine from the airport to the Palace of Holyroodhouse for a meeting with the Queen. However, the council has said there will be no opportunity to see the Pope on his arrival at the airport, his route through the city or on his arrival at the palace.

Organisers are encouraging people wanting to catch see the Pope to head for Princes Street, where the St Ninian's Day parade will take place before the Pope is driven the full length of the street and up Lothian Road in a Popemobile to have lunch at Cardinal Keith O'Brien's official residence in Morningside.

The airport has assured passengers all flights will be operating normally next Thursday, but it is advising them to allow extra time for their journeys to allow for road closures around the airport in connection with the Pope's visit. Several roads in the area will be shut for up to 2 hours in the morning and diversions will be in place. The spokesman said passengers should allow around half an hour for delays in reaching the airport.

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