Increases in drop off and parking prices at Liverpool John Lennon Airport have been branded "absolutely ridiculous".
New prices have been introduced at the Speke-based airport, which means it now costs a minimum of £5 to enter the airport's express drop off and pick up car park area in a vehicle - a rise of £1. The £5 payment covers the vehicle for up to 10 minutes, while it now costs £10 for up to 20 minutes and £25 for up to an hour.
A day of parking at the airport now costs £50 and each 24 hours thereafter will cost £50. The ECHO understands that the increased prices are a result of increased costs that John Lennon Airport is incurring.
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The express drop off and pick up car park is designed for drivers who need to stop briefly in order to drop off or collect passengers and is located very close to the terminal building. However, there is an alternative car park for making drop offs and collections, called Drop Off 2.
It is free to park in Drop Off 2 for 40 minutes. Parking for 40 minutes to an hour costs £8, up to two hours costs £10, after which it is £50 per day. For those who wish to stay longer, the airport also has a multi-storey car park.
An airport spokesperson said: “Unfortunately it has been necessary to increase the charges in our express pick-up and drop off car park, which is located closest to the terminal building, to help offset the significant increases in energy costs incurred by the airport over the past few months and going forward.
"These increases have been kept to a minimum and charges in this car park have not been increased for over 18 months, despite the severity of the covid pandemic on airport revenues with prices remaining in line with those charged at other airports. Passengers are reminded that a free pick-up and drop-off car park (Drop-off 2) remains available, with parking at no charge for up to 40 mins and located a short 10 min walk away from the terminal by one of the long stay car parks.”
However, the increased prices at the express drop off are not the only rises at the airport. From October 1, it will cost drivers of minibuses and coaches £20 to drop off at the use the forecourt immediately opposite the terminal building. It will also cost £20 to pick up there.
The airport took to Facebook to share the news and was met with some criticism from commenters. Neal Woods said: "I’m a massive supporter of Liverpool airport and I fly from there and back with work every week, but this is absolutely ridiculous."
William Lyon added: "Absolutely shocking... Well overpriced", while John Hargadon said: "I don't understand this at all, these are the people bringing business - customers to the airport, it could be viewed by some as a penalty for not using the car parks."
Regarding the charge for coaches and minibuses, an airport spokesperson said: “Next month the charges for larger passenger vehicles to use the coach bays on the front of the terminal are to be brought in line with other on site vehicle charges, having not been changed for many years. The charge for coaches and large minibuses over 16 seats wishing to use the coach bays on the terminal front will increase to £20 per drop off and pick up, with vehicles able to remain in the area until having completed the dropping off or picking up of all their passengers and luggage.
"Minibuses below 16 seats and under 2.15m height will continue to be able to use the Express Drop off/Pick up car park as they do at present, paying the same rates as other vehicles, whilst vehicles under 16 seats but higher than 2.15m can use the long stay car park.”
Parking charges at the airport have led to many people parking on residential streets in Speke in order to save money. Last month, people living on Hale Road told the ECHO they were living in a "nightmare" as a result, with cars parked on double yellow lines and on the central reservation, while another was blocking the pavement.
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