UK airports have been in the news lately over their excessive passenger drop-off fees. Luton and Manchester airports in particular charge a punitive pick-up fee of £5 for no more than five minutes maximum stay. This unexpected pricing strategy has fueled a lot of anger among drivers. They simply want to be able to allow their friends and family members to get to their flights.
Luton and Manchester in particular charge the most per minute for drop-off service. This is the cost of a return flight from Manchester to Istanbul in August – outrageous right? It’s even less expensive than the cost of a speedy five-minute drop-off at either airport! Such comparisons highlight how some UK airports have set their drop-off fees higher than the cost of peak-season holiday flights.
All other major UK airports are equally guilty, with some charging up to £7 an hour for parking close to terminals. Belfast City Airport recently introduced a £4 10-minute drop-off fee. Only last year, the airport jacked up its landing fees by 33 percent. Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool airports have recently increased drop-off fees to £6 for 10 to 20 minute stays. They have drastically increased their fees by 20% recently.
Drivers are sounding the alarm on all these new fee changelings. Rod Dennis, a spokesperson for one of the nation’s largest transportation companies. Dennis was sympathetic to the plight of those helping travelers.
“This is another source of frustration for people who in many cases are just trying to help a family member or friend get to the airport. Anyone who doesn’t notice the change or simply forgets to pay will inevitably be stung with a very unwelcome parking charge notice.” – Rod Dennis
Despite the increased charges, airports maintain that they provide free drop-off facilities among other options tailored to meet various passenger needs. Karen Dee, chief executive of industry group AirportsUK, said the move was “alarming”.
“All airports offer a free drop-off facility. They also have a wide variety of options to suit all passengers’ needs, including premium drop-off in front of the terminal building for those who wish to use that.” – Karen Dee
Dennis highlighted the need for drivers to assist travelers who may have heavy baggage. He emphasized how buses are sometimes not realistic options and that taxi cab costs include added drop-off charges too.
“The main reason drivers drop off at airports, according to our research, is to help people with bulky and often heavy luggage. This is understandable when the alternative to the car is often either a conventional bus, which can be impractical with lots of cases, or a costly taxi – with fares for the latter subject to the same drop-off fees that drivers need to pay.” – Rod Dennis
Unlike the US, the UK airport industry is going out of its way to change its pricing practices. As such, users and advocates for accessible transportation must contend with increasing drop-off service costs.