A Greater Manchester MP has criticised Manchester Airport's 'unfair' and 'unreasonable' drop-off charges in parliament. Jim McMahon MP raised the issue at a special debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday, January 13, warning 'Manchester shouldn't become like Gatwick'.
The Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton representative criticised the airport for 'very high charges for short stays that catch drivers out, confusing signage and road layouts, and limited payment methods'. The airport currently charges £5 for a five-minute drop-off, and £6.40 for 10 minutes, while those who take up to 30 minutes must pay £25. Drivers can be hit with a £100 penalty fine if they overshoot their window.
Mr McMahon said: 'For far too many people who experience Manchester Airport, the system isn't one of fairness. For the sake of a £5 fee for a low wage worker, the penalty could be a full day's wage. Is it a fair penalty to say to somebody: for going over by a minute, we're going to take away a day's pay? Most people would say that's not a fair response.'
The MP also slammed the current payment arrangement, which requires drivers to pay via an app within 24 hours, suggesting the airport install an alternative 'tap-in' system that takes payment straight away. He has written to all 10 Greater Manchester councils, who are shareholders of Manchester Airport Group, asking them to back a campaign calling for changes.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson defended the system, saying: 'Dropping passengers off at Manchester Airport is free if drivers use the drop-off area at JetParks One. This is served by regular shuttle buses that take passengers to the doors of our terminals in just a few minutes. For those that want to be able to drop passengers off on our forecourts, we offer a service that lets drivers pay £5 for five minutes. This is cheaper than is offered at most comparably sized airports and our analysis shows it allows most people more than enough time to drop passengers off, thanks to our barrierless exits which remove bottlenecks.'
