Holidaymakers are being warned of prices hikes at both Belfast airports when dropping off or picking up from airport terminals.
Drop-off at Belfast International now costs £3 for 10 minutes (up from £2), however its long stay car park will remain free for 15 minutes.
In a statement on its social media channels the airport said it would “like to make passengers aware of changes” affecting those dropping off and collecting passengers from Monday April 17.
“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.”
For blue badge holders to avail of the 30 minutes grace period in the short stay car park at Belfast International, they must produce their blue badge to a car park team member by either by visiting the office or alternatively pressing the help button on the machines.
After 30 minutes regular charges will apply.
All passengers can enjoy a 15 minute grace period in the long stay car park, which is situated behind the Maldron Hotel after which regular charges will apply.
Also from Monday, a minimum charge of £4 will apply in the main car park where it previously cost £2.50 for up to 30 minutes or £4 for 30-60 minutes.
Belfast City Airport has introduced a new “express” drop off/pick up area, where the first 10 minutes cost £3. It previously cost £1 for 10 minutes in the drop off zone at both airports.
According to the City of Derry website its drop-off charges remain the same. Customers can visit the airport to drop off or pick up passengers and stay for up to 2 hours for only £1.00.
The free 10 minute period was removed in 2015 following an increasing number of safety incidents in the car park as large numbers of vehicles enter and leave at high speed within the free period.
Passenger pick-up and drop-off at Dublin Airport currently remains free-of-charge after the airport recently scrapped its controversial plans to charge a fee.
Regina Doherty, the Fine Gael senator and party transport spokesperson referred to the plans to charge passengers a fee as “a money-grabbing exercise and a cop-out from dealing with the real issues around transport connectivity and dealing with congestion”.
She welcomed Dublin Airport’s decision to scrap the proposed charges before they were implemented saying: “I am glad that, finally, the DAA has given us clarity and that common sense has prevailed.”
