Avoid drop off fees warn travel agents
As many prepare to fly off on an Easter break, holidaymakers are urged to check airport drop-off and pick-up charges before arriving at departures to avoid exorbitant fees and fines.
Research by leading travel insurer Start Travel revealed some British international airports charge as much as £1 per minute in the so-called ‘kiss and fly’ spaces close to departure terminals.
Manchester Airport is the worst offender, charging a whopping £25 if drivers exceed its 10 minute limit. Gatwick Airport comes third in the list of most expensive UK airports at which to drop off a departing family member.
According to Start Travel Gatwick charges £5 for 10 minutes and an additional £1 per minute up to 20 minutes.
While other airports charge less for drop-offs and pick-ups, many impose even tougher penalties for those attempting to avoid charges. Birmingham airport for example fines those who fall foul of their parking rules up to £100.
A small number of airports, for example Jersey and Inverness, are free for quick drops while Edinburgh Airport offers a 50% discount for those air passengers arriving in electric vehicles.
The airports with the most expensive kiss and fly drops are, according to Star Travel: 1. Manchester 2. Stansted 3. Gatwick 4. Luton 5. Bristol.
