Airport parking can cost £53 an hour
MOTORISTS dropping off friends and relatives at airports this summer could be hit by “sky-high charges” of up to £53 an hour, the RAC has warned.
Drivers risk paying six times more per minute to park at airports than it costs to make a mobile phone call home from abroad, according to its research.
London Luton Airport is the most expensive in the country for pick-ups, with short-stay parking costing a minimum of £7 for 40 minutes, the RAC said. It is also the most expensive per minute for drivers opting to wait in their car, with charges of £3 for 10 minutes and £1 per minute after that.
The research also found it costs £4.70 to park for up to 60 minutes at Birmingham International Airport, while parking close to Stansted’s terminal is £4.50 for 30 minutes.
Drivers can also be hit by penalties for overstaying the maximum time period in drop-off zones. A penalty of £50 is levied on those who exceed the 10-minute time allowance at London Stansted, the RAC found.
Despite the high prices, six of the country’s busiest airports still offer some free parking options.
Pete Williams, the RAC’s head of external affairs, said drivers should check parking fees before they set out.
“While it is true that many airports provide a range of different parking options for drivers depending on how long they expect to stay, motorists need to be aware of the sky-high charges levied by some for parking close to the terminal. Drivers are running the risk of incurring some hefty charges if they drive to a pick-up zone to collect somebody whose flight is delayed, or who has to wait a long time at baggage reclaim. In these cases, they are much better finding another, more affordable airport car park.
“Unfortunately, from our research there will be a trade-off in that other car parks tend to be less convenient and a lot further from the arrivals hall.”
A Luton Airport spokesman said: “At London Luton we offer two hours free parking in the long-stay car park and 15 minutes free drop-off and pick-up in the mid-term car park.”