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Luton airport introduces £1 drop-off fee

Page last updated: 24th Apr 2009 - 02:55 PM

If you are dropping friends or family off at Luton Airport after April 29th, don’t leave home without money. The airport is introducing a one pound fee for a ten minute drop off slot and the only way to avoid it is to drop your passengers at the mid-term car park where they can catch the airport shuttle bus.

The drop off area at the terminal building has been refurbished and gives passengers more room to unload and there are special bays for passengers with mobility problems.

The charge is being introduced in an effort to keep traffic flowing smoothly and according to a spokesman for the airport it is hoped that by “offering a choice of options” they can “provide an airport experience to suit the needs of all passengers”.

Luton airport is run by Abertis and rumour is rife that similar charges could be introduced at other airports run by the same operator which include Cardiff and Belfast.

The airport was heavily criticised in June 2008 when it became the first major airport to introduce a non-refundable charge for using its trolleys, with the Air Transport Users’ Council saying it was a pure money making scheme and the airport defending its position claiming it would lead to a better service. It also charges a pound for providing the clear plastic bags in which we now have to place all liquids and gels being carried on as part of our hand luggage.

A pound won’t break the bank but there will no doubt be complaints from the travelling public who will see this as yet another way of replenishing the coffers at a time of difficulty for the industry.

Comments - 12

1. Linda Dingley

13th May 2009 - 12:28 PM

As a frequent flyer for both business and pleasure I flew from Luton yesterday on a 7am flight. On the approach to the airport at 5.30am I was horrified to see a very large tailback (threatening the M1) had already formed and crawling through the build-up the situation was being exacerbated by people (through necessity) getting out and walking (some very elderly) in order to reach the terminal. On eventually reaching the approach roundabout I myself (with only a briefcase) got out to make my way to check-in. I saw a man (medium height, dark hair mid 30s) in a high vis jacket make some half hearted attempt to wave traffic through and advised him that the traffic was backed right out of the airport and almost onto the M1 and said that this was an "absolutely ridiculous" situation that needed an immediate resolution (I can only assume this is due to your £1 levy - which is yet another blatant and thoughtless tax on the traveller). His response was that I "needed to watch my attitude". I think in these economic times where people do have choices that perhaps it is Luton Airport and its staff who needs to be mindful that they are a service provider - and that we as consumers, do have choices - and I will exercise them in the future by not using Luton and I will be sure to share my experiences with as many people as possible.

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2. Luton Boy

18th Jun 2009 - 10:15 PM

No way we should pay this fee! It was a ridiculous idea... we were complaining heavily about this on http://www.theluton.com

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3. ng ford

14th Jul 2009 - 03:39 PM

I suggest you get your planners to take a look at Standted where is free to drop off and Never any problem and to collect you can use a very near car park for a minimal amount chargeable at point of entry to car park by credit/debit card.

I think you are just using it as an excuse to make money, and hope that some airlines may refuse to use you , as I have heard may happen.

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4. Steve Low

15th Jul 2009 - 01:26 PM

A ridiculous fee. To stop the car and let someone in or out you are charged £1. All people now do is stop on the roundabout before the entrance and cause a traffic jam.

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5. Linda Bedwell

23rd Jul 2009 - 01:16 PM

I don't see why passengers can't remember to bring a plastic bag themselves perhaps £1 charge will improve their memory!£1 for dropping off is a damn cheek, whats next £1 to use the toilet!? If i know my passenger is standing at the drop off point can I pick them up there?

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6. Michael Horner

27th Jul 2009 - 11:34 AM

I arrived at the airport on Saturday July 25 at 06.00 to drop my daughter off for a 06.30 check-in. The scene was one of total chaos - traffic jammed back a mile and people stuggling on foot. My daughter made the flight with 2 minutes to spare. Luton used to be a pleaseure to fly from - no more. We will not the use the airport again until this traffic problem is fixed - the £1 charge is just sheer greed - why not go the whole hog and charge £50 - at least you'll mae some proper mney and ease the traffic congestion.

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7. Geoff Vickers

9th Aug 2009 - 11:55 AM

Clearly the problems with traffic back up has not been sorted. Wednesday morning 5th August 2009 and a traffic line stretching from the new dual carriageway and coming to a head at the roundabout before the underpass where three roads and three traffic lines converge. 40 mins crawl into the airport. I am not sure the new charging for drop off is wholly responsible. There are too many cars getting into a badly designed bottleneck of a drop off point and a superflous traffic light on the roundabout by the carpark which also adds to the delays. Yes the £1 charge is silly and not helping but from what I could see the problem is one of ingress design of the airport. Back to the drawingboard quick lads. Its shocking!

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8. shuggy

12th Aug 2009 - 07:34 AM

32 minutes to queque in the car to drop off the wife this morning (wed 12th aug)is an absolute joke! millions spent on road,signs,systems and whatever else have been wasted.I could have added this time onto my planned journey and used a different airport,which I will do in future.It`s a disgrace!...hold your head in shame,integrated transport policy?..my kids could have done a better job.

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9. Len Dingemans

31st Aug 2009 - 10:04 PM

It is not the charges that slows down the traffic, it is the road layout for the drop off area. If the flow though the area was reversed so that on leaving the drop off area, the cars did not have to come across the incomming trafic the problem would be solved.

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10. Ron Aslan

23rd Apr 2010 - 11:38 AM

I think its disgusting to have to pay to drop people off or to pick people up. Same with paying for trolleys. I used Luton recently and all these things made me angry. Went to find information to make a complaint and lo and behold nobody was there. The company running the airport wants to make as much money as possible without caring about the actual users of the airport. I will not be using Luton again if I can help it.

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11. ac ross

8th Jul 2010 - 07:52 PM

please can you tell me,how much dose it cost to pick up passangers for a 16 seater mini bus,they are on a booked return flight to luton,where do we pick up?and whats the cost.regards

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12. L THORPE

20th Aug 2010 - 06:00 PM

Luton airport has indeed provided an airport experience second to none (none being the better option). They have 'ripoff money grabbing Britain' down to a fine art - one hopes that they are visited by 3 ghosts on Christmas Eve.......

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