Bournemouth Airport launches ‘drop-off’ charge

Cheap airport parking is set to end at Bournemouth Airport this month as airport bosses scrap the free 10 minute drop off and pick up facility.

From May onwards, anyone wishing to drop off or pick up at Bournemouth Airport will have to pay for airport car parking as authorities withdraw the free 10 minute waiting service.

Until recently, motorists wishing to drop off or collect friends or family at Bournemouth Airport were able to do so for free as long as they didn’t exceed the 10 minute allowance. Under the new system, any drivers stopping at the airport will be charged an airport car parking fee of £2.50 for a 30 minute stay.

Although many people will be annoyed by the airport’s decision, Rob Goldsmith, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport assured customers in a recent press release that the new parking charge “will only affect a minority of visitors to the site”.

He went on to add that the new parking arrangement had been brought about by the recession and the increasing costs faced by the aviation industry. He was also at pains to point out that cheap airport parking was still available in the airport’s long and short-stay airport car parking facility.

The news comes as Bournemouth Airport enters the second stage of its re-development programme - with a brand new £45m passenger terminal opening up in June of last year. Although take up of the three million capacity facility has been slow initially, it’s hoped that things will pick up over the next two years.

Closely monitoring the programme of improvements at Bournemouth, Looking4Parking may consider adding the airport to its growing list of locations around the UK. As well as airport parking both on-site and off-site, Looking4Parking also specialises in Meet and Greet airport car parking through its sister brand Stress Free Parking.