Anger at 'crippling rise' for Leeds Bradford Airport airport drop-off fee (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Anger at 'crippling rise' for Leeds Bradford Airport airport drop-off fee

7:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News

The airport drop-off point, where fees for larger minibuses will rise from £2 to £6.

New drop-off charges at Leeds Bradford Airport will not affect family cars and taxis, it is being stressed.

The airport has issued a statement highlighting the fact that an increase in the charge will only affect minibuses. Drivers of larger minibuses are facing an increase of 200 per cent in the cost of dropping off and picking up at the airport, with charges going up from £2 to £6.

The increase in the controversial charge has prompted warnings from some taxi drivers about its crippling effect on their businesses.

But yesterday an airport spokesman stressed that the increase would not affect all vehicles.

She said: “The charges for cars and taxis and private hire are unchanged.

“Only larger minibus vehicles of over eight seats are subject to the higher charge and they now have a dedicated lane with the space they need to operate safely.”

Taxi drivers have described the increased fee as a “crippler” and as blatant overcharging. One taxi firm boss said the company would have to consider passing the charge onto the customer, otherwise drivers were going to have to have to stand it.

Dubbed the Kiss and Fly charge, the drop-off fee was hugely unpopular when it was introduced in 2011.

The charge meant there was a minimum £2 fee for anyone who wanted to pick-up or drop-off friends and family outside the terminal.

The airport also introduced a free drop-off service in the long-stay car parks, about half-a-mile from the terminal, with a shuttle bus to take passengers to the terminal and back.

A £25 subscription was also introduced for taxi drivers to allow them to use the short-stay car park for up to 15 minutes at a time. The introduction of the charge led to opposition from many councillors and residents and prompted safety concerns as drivers resorted to stopping on the roadside. There were numerous calls for the £2 charge to be scrapped.