A father has launched a scathing criticism against Stansted Airport, accusing the transport hub of attempting to extract additional revenue from travellers by eliminating traditional drop-off payment machines in favour of a mandatory online system.
The Inconvenient Discovery
Max Hotopf, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Business International, made the unwelcome discovery on January 5th while dropping his daughter at Stansted Airport. He found the familiar physical payment machine had vanished, replaced by a requirement to pay online within a strict 48-hour window or incur a substantial penalty.
This change stems from the airport's implementation of a barrierless payment system last year, which uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor vehicles.
"A System Relying on Forgetfulness"
Mr Hotopf expressed his firm belief that the new arrangement feels deliberately designed to capitalise on human error. He contends the airport is banking on a percentage of customers forgetting to make the digital payment, thereby generating income from the resulting fines.
"I think it's a bit disgraceful really," Hotopf told the Daily Mail, sharing his personal experience of falling foul of an identical system at Heathrow Airport. After dropping off his son and subsequently forgetting to pay, he received an £80 penalty notice.
"Inevitably, a certain percentage of people are going to forget as I did at Heathrow. I think I remembered it after 55 hours," he added, highlighting the tight timeframe.
Airport's Defence and Wider Industry Trend
Stansted Airport has firmly rejected the accusation of profiteering. A spokesperson stated the transition was executed to "simplify the drop off and pick up process," with additional aims to improve traffic flow and reduce terminal congestion.
Mr Hotopf dismissed this justification, arguing, "I think that's rubbish because there would have been space before for about seven or eight cars. They're just trying to maximise their profits."
This shift is not isolated to Stansted. Major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, and Luton have similarly introduced these barrierless, post-drop-off online payment systems, marking a significant change in passenger experience across the UK.
Rising Costs for Travellers
The controversy emerges alongside news that Gatwick Airport has become the UK's most expensive for drop-off fees, hiking its charge to £10 per entry this month, up from £7. The airport defended the increase, citing higher operating costs partly driven by rising business rates.
A Gatwick spokesman explained the decision was not taken lightly and that the increased charge supports efforts to encourage public transport use, limit car numbers, and fund sustainable transport initiatives. Passengers can avoid the fee by using the long-stay car park and its complimentary shuttle bus service.
The combination of removed payment machines, enforced online systems with short deadlines, and escalating flat fees has ignited a debate about transparency, customer convenience, and the true motives behind these operational changes at the nation's airports.
