Major UK airport hikes parking charges by £3 AND makes time limits even shorter from today
ANOTHER UK airport is hiking its drop-off fees while making time limits shorter in a double blow for travellers.
The transport hub has confirmed that the cost of dropping passengers off at the departures terminal will go up by £3.
East Midlands Airport has introduced the higher fee after Gatwick, Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Stansted, Leeds Bradford and more did the same earlier this year.
The Derby-based airport will charge £8 for a 10-minute stay at its rapid drop-off zone as of September 29 at 3pm.
The price is up by £3 for less time allowed, with drivers previously being charged £5 for a 15-minute stay.
Airport bosses confirmed that the hike was brought in as a result of “significant inflationary pressures”.
The extra money is also set to go towards paying for an ongoing £120million investment to improve the airport.
Prior to the recent increase, the fee remained unchanged for five years.
Last year, the airport swapped its barrier system and introduced automatic number plate recognition cameras to improve the flow of the drop-off system.
Along with the ANPR tracking, new drop-off fee and shorter drop-off window, customers have until midnight the day after their airport visit to pay the charge.
The fee can be paid online or via phone – and those who do not pay in time are slapped with a £100 fine.
While the fine is dropped to £60 if paid within 14 days, North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack has hit back at the scheme.
Arguing that the new drop-off rules is “setting people up to fail”, she said: “The announcement by East Midlands Airport of changes to its rapid drop-off pricing and a reduction in the permitted waiting time is frustrating.
“While I welcome the investment the airport has made over the last couple of years, the way the rapid drop-off is currently set up feels stacked against consumers.”
The MP added hat having less time to complete drop-offs and the responsibility to remember to pay will no doubt mean more users face hefty fines.
“I already deal with numerous complaints from constituents and people across the UK who have received a £100 parking penalty notice because they simply forgot to pay,” she told the BBC.
“Increasing the price while simultaneously reducing the time allowed is only likely to make this situation worse.”
Hack says that she has asked the airport to install machines that allow them to pay the drop-off fee there and then.
“My concern has always been that the current arrangement at East Midlands Airport appears to set people up to fail,” she added.
Responding to the criticism over the new fee, East Mindlands Airport said in a statement: “Airport drop-off areas help to manage on-site congestion, with charges managing what is the most polluting form of transport to the airport.
“The new fees are proportionate in the context of inflationary increases and brings East Midlands Airport in line with other UK airports.
“The airport is well served by frequent 24/7 bus services from Nottingham, Derby and Leicester and surrounding communities, with stops close to the terminal.”