One of the UK’s busiest airports has hiked its parking and drop-off charges, which will see drivers pay a huge £28 charge for just 15 minutes.
It will now cost drivers £28 to stay directly outside the terminal for between 15 and 30 minutes.
Motorists will also be slapped with a £28 charge for re-entering within 30 minutes of first entering the Express Set Down car park.
Even motorists making use of the “kiss and fly” drop-off under 15 minutes will pay £10, an increase of 40 per cent.
The airport said it was making the change to incentivise motorists to use public transport rather than increasing congestion when parking.
It added that “kiss and fly” stops were the least environmentally friendly, making up around four car journeys per flight.
The new £10 charge for the express charge now makes Stansted the joint most expensive in the UK, alongside London Gatwick.
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport said the aim of the price hikes was to “manage congestion at the terminal”.
Stansted Airport has introduced new parking charges for motorists
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It added that it was looking to crack down on the “kiss and fly” traffic, which has come under scrutiny from airports around the world in recent years.
The spokesperson also referenced how planning conditions require at least 50 per cent of passengers to access the airport by public transport.
To meet this target, Stansted Airport has consistently called for more train services to be delivered between the airport and London Liverpool Street.
Data from 2022 shows that there was an 11 per cent decline in the use of rail as a proportion of all trips to the airport compared to 2019.
Stansted Airport now has some of the most expensive parking options of any UK airport
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LONDON STANSTED AIRPORTThe spokesperson continued, saying: “This threshold will rise to 54 per cent as passenger numbers increase.
“We continue to offer a free park and ride facility for those who are happy to be dropped off and picked up further away from the terminal, as well as a discount scheme for local residents living within 10 miles of the airport.”
Stansted recently confirmed new bus routes to give motorists additional options to travel to the airport from Harlow town centre.
The new 723 service will slash journey times by up to 40 minutes, and will cost just £3, compared to the minimum price of £10 for express parking.
Stansted Airport recently unveiled a new bus route to incentivise the use of public transport
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STANSTED AIRPORT
Steve Mills, surface access strategy manager at Stansted, said the new service would benefit airport staff and local residents with a “high-quality, fast and cost-effective direct service”.
“We have worked in partnership with Arriva for a number of years to develop transport options that benefit the local community and provide convenient access to the airport.
“Stansted continues to be the number one major airport for public transport use in the UK and new services such as the 723 will help us maintain and build on our proud record of nearly 50 per cent of passengers travelling to and from the airport by bus, coach and train.”