Another English airport introduces hugely unpopular charge for passengers
ANOTHER airport is introducing a new drop off fee from next month and travellers are fuming.
From March, London Southend Airport in Essex will charge passengers £8 for up to 10 minutes drop off.
It comes as the airport has opened a new drop-off and pick-up area at the airport, called the ‘Express Lane’.
Announcing the new fee, the airport said that it “has been designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and create a smoother experience for drivers and passengers alike”.
The airport added that the fee is in line with other airports across the UK.
The Express Lane will be in the short-stay car park, opposite the terminal.
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Drivers will be able to stop for up to 10 minutes; no ticket is needed, and there are no barriers for entry or exit.
The £8 charge must then be paid online within 24 hours of exiting the Express Lane.
According to the BBC, a spokesman for the airport said: “Our existing paid pick-up and drop-off parking facility successfully operates and is in line with arrangements at other airports across the UK.
“In March, we are launching an improved and more convenient express lane, as well as doubling the dwell time available to passengers.
“As a privately owned airport, London Southend must generate its own revenue to operate and continue to support our airline partners, maintain operations and reinvest in facilities to improve our easy, speedy, friendly experience for passengers across Essex, London and East Anglia.”
However, a lot of people have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the new fee.
One person said: “Probably the only thing I disagree with at the airport.
“Extortionate fees for dropping off passengers.”
Another person said: “Another money-making mechanism instead of actually improving the situation and traffic flow…”
“Instead of charging, why can’t there be a penalty fee if someone stops for over 10 minutes?
“Then, people will be in and out even faster!”
The BBC added that Liberal Democrat councillor James Newport, who is the former leader of Rochford District Council, commented that the charges are a “rip-off” and that he raised the issue in a committee meeting “as soon as I was made aware”.
He said: “It’s not acceptable that the airport should be trying to fleece not only our residents but also local taxi drivers who are also impacted by these charges.”
The fee comes as a number of other airports across the UK have either introduced drop-off and pick-up fees or raised them.
For example, earlier this month, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports increased their fees to £7 for up to 15 minutes.
This meant that Glasgow Airport increased its fee by £1, and Aberdeen increased its fee by £5.50.
And in January, London Gatwick Airport raised its drop-off fee to £10.
The £3 increase applies to all drivers using the drop-off zone, except for Blue Badge holders.
At the time, the airport commented that it was “not a decision they took lightly”, but that the “doubling of business rates” was one of the reasons for the increase.
In other airport news, a major UK airport is launching 12 new routes to popular destinations with eight new airlines.
Plus, a new parking crackdown has been rolled out at a major UK airport after dozens of cars were abandoned and families left stranded.