Free ‘drop off’ facility scrapped at Bournemouth Airport
Thursday, October 13, 2011
From May 2011, motorists wishing to meet and greet passengers off flights Bournemouth Airport will have to pay a car parking charge as authorities withdraw the free 10 minute stopping facility.
Until recently, drivers wishing to meet and greet friends or family from a flight at Bournemouth Airport were able to do so for free as long as they didn’t park up for more than 10 minutes. This month however, it’s been announced that the free Meet and Greet service is set to end as motorists will be charged a fee of £2.50 for a 30 minute stay on airport premises.
The news of the new parking charge comes as Bournemouth Airport undergoes the second stage of a major re-development programme to turn it into a world class passenger facility. Although it’s thought that the decision will cause an inconvenience to some passengers, it’s also hoped that the levy will help to support the airport under the current difficult economic conditions.
In a recent interview, Rob Goldsmith, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport said Bournemouth Airport authorities were aware that some people will be “disappointed” with the new charges but assured visitors that it would “only affect a minority of visitors to the site”.
He went on to add that “this is a commercial decision brought about by the worldwide recession and the subsequent downturn in the aviation industry” and that airport parking charges at Bournemouth Airport as a whole “are among the cheapest in southern England”.
For anyone wishing to park their car at Bournemouth Airport while they’re away on holiday or a business trip, there is a good choice of long-stay, short-stay and off-site parking available. There is also soon be a Bournemouth Meet and Greet parking service available through leading UK airport Meet and Greet provider Stress Free Parking.