Belfast City Airport has increased its drop-off and pick-up charges, with prices increasing from £3.00 to £4.00. This covers those picking up and dropping off passengers within the express drop off and pick up area and staying for a maximum of 10 minutes. After this, prices increase to £6.00 for between 10 and 20 minutes, £20.00 for 21 to 30 minutes, 30 to 60 minutes sits at £25.00. After this period, a day charge of £50.00 is expected.
This means the closest airport to Belfast city centre now holds the most expensive drop-off and pick-up charges in the region. Despite this, it still remains one of the lowest in the UK. Known largely as ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off charges, 24 major airport in the UK charge a fee for this, with some charging over £10 for the first 10 minutes. One of the highest drop-off charges in the UK is Luton International demonstrating a £10 charge for those wishing to drop passengers off. Coming in closely behind this is Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Southampton and Bristol, where drop-off charges sit at £7 for the first 10 minutes. Other airports in the UK and the British Isles do demonstrate free drop off charges, such as Newquay, London City, Jersey, Isle of Man and City of Derry Airport, however no waiting is allowed.
Belfast International airport also charges for drop-off and pick-up, with charges sitting currently at £3 for the first 10 minutes.
So how can passengers avoid this cost and make their journey that little bit cheaper? what is often forgotten in these instances is that the drop-off and pick-up areas are there for ease of getting to and from the terminal. They are almost always guaranteed to be the closest place to the airport and are great for those maybe running late or mobility issues etc.
What should be noted is that often, the long stay, and even some short stay car parks, are free of charge for the first 10 minutes. But it should be remembered that these tend to be much farther away from the entrance to terminal, they may be vast in size and hard to navigate, and in some major airports such as Heathrow, may require a shuttle bus service to get to the departure terminal.
All in all, cheaper alternatives are there as an option to those who wish to use them. It may save you a few pennies, and if you have extra time, is a great alternative to costly drop-off charges.
