London City Airport has sparked controversy with the introduction of a mandatory £5 fee for all vehicles dropping off passengers outside its terminal building. The new charge, which came into effect this week, applies to every vehicle regardless of how long they stop at the designated drop-off zone.
How the New Charging System Works
Under the new system, drivers must pay £5 for the privilege of using the drop-off area directly outside the terminal. The airport has installed automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor all vehicles entering the zone.
Drivers have several payment options available:
- Online payment via the airport's official website
- Automated telephone payment system
- Cash payments at selected local shops
Airport's Justification for the Fee
Airport management defends the new charge as necessary for managing congestion and funding ongoing improvements to passenger facilities. A spokesperson for London City Airport stated that the revenue generated will be reinvested into enhancing the customer experience and maintaining the airport's infrastructure.
'This brings us in line with most other UK airports who already operate similar charging systems,' the spokesperson added.
Exemptions and Alternative Options
While most vehicles will be subject to the charge, the airport has confirmed that blue badge holders will be exempt from the fee. Additionally, passengers being picked up or dropped off by licensed taxis or pre-booked private hire vehicles won't face the additional charge as it's typically included in their fare structure.
For those looking to avoid the fee, the airport suggests using the free drop-off option available in the long-stay car park, which is connected to the terminal via a complimentary shuttle bus service running every 10-15 minutes.
Public Reaction and Travel Impact
The introduction of the fee has received mixed reactions from regular users of the airport. Some frequent flyers have expressed frustration at the additional cost, while others acknowledge that similar charges are commonplace at other airports across the country.
Business travellers, who constitute a significant portion of London City Airport's customer base, are particularly affected by the change, with many companies now having to factor in this additional expense for employee travel.
