Airport brings in £1 drop-off fee

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Luton Airport is to introduce a £1 charge for dropping off passengers at its terminal building.

Motorists will have to pay the levy to spend up to 10 minutes in the airport's refurbished drop-off zone.

Last year it brought in a £1 fee to use its trolleys, while the same amount is also charged for the clear plastic bags used to take liquids through security.

The airport said passengers could be dropped off at the mid-term car park to catch a shuttle bus to avoid the fee.

The levy will be enforced by barriers at the drop-off zone's exit.

'Stressful experience'

The airport said the new zone would have more space for people to unload, as well as larger bays for passengers with reduced mobility.

Luton's operator, Abertis, also runs Belfast and Cardiff airports, where it is thought a similar charge could also be introduced.

Nic Horton, Luton's general manager of projects and development, said: "Dropping passengers off can be a stressful experience.

"We have therefore given careful consideration to providing the right facilities and enough time for people to unload in a secure environment.

"Making a small charge reminds drivers of the 10-minute time allocation and keeps the traffic flowing.

"By offering a choice of options we can provide an airport experience to suit the needs of all our passengers."

The £1 charge is to be brought in some time after 29 April.