If you already hate Belfast International Airport, prepare to hate it even more, as the airport is now charging £3 for drop-offs.
Back in 2019, Belfast International Airport was rated the worst airport in the UK in an annual survey by Which.co.uk.
This was all thanks to passengers expressing frustration over crowds, long queues, and very limited shopping options.
The survey ranked 30 of the UK’s airports and major terminals, and Northern Ireland’s busiest airport fell flat at the bottom. Now, in a move that has appalled many, Belfast International Airport is charging £3 for drop-offs.
UK’s worst airport now charging £3 for drop-offs – announced in a social media post
In a shocking post uploaded to their social media sites yesterday, 13 April, Belfast International Airport wrote, “We would like to make our passengers aware of some changes that will affect those dropping off and collecting passengers from Monday, 17 April.
“We will continue to offer 15 minutes free of charge in the Long Stay Car Park.
“Blue Badge holders can use the Short Stay Car Park free of charge for 30 minutes at Belfast International Airport for getting dropped off or collected.
“The Drop Off Zone will increase to £3 for up to 10 minutes”. This price change, which will see the charge for 10 minutes rise from £1 to £3 on Monday, 17 April, has left many customers shocked and appalled.
An unhappy response – unhappy customers
Evidently, people are not happy about this price rise. With the airport’s Drop Off Zone being directly adjacent to the terminal building and payment being carried out through a coin bin/card machine on exit, people are bewildered by such inflation.
One unhappy customer sarcastically wrote under the post, “Well done – a great idea! Going to cause total congestion on the main roads as people will park all over the place to avoid paying!!!”.
Another wrote, “Please tell us how this extra revenue will be spent to improve the passenger experience?”.
Others took a more lighthearted approach in sharing their distaste. One person wrote, “I’ll get dropped off across the road at the services, save £3 and get some steps in”.
Following Belfast City – and other UK airports
This move by Belfast International Airport comes after a similar move by George Best City Airport. Last month, Belfast City Airport announced similar changes to parking prices.
While the City Airport still offers free parking for ten minutes for dropping off and picking up, it moved to the long-stay car park. You can reach the airport in five to ten minutes of walking from this spot.
In turn, a new express drop off and pick up area was put into place at the cost of £3 for up to ten minutes.
Meanwhile, drop-off charges at Liverpool Airport have been £5 for some time now. Dropping off outside the terminal at Manchester Airport costs £5 for five minutes.
Is Belfast International Airport just playing catch-up, or is this an expensive and unnecessary move? Let us know what you think in the comments.
