Belfast International Airport is to start charging drivers to pick up and set down passengers at the Airport from next Wednesday, July 7.
_01-July-2010

However, the scheme has brought a storm of protest with the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland branding the plan as "unacceptable."

"The Consumer Council recognises BIA needs to comply with Government security guidelines but it is unfair to charge car drivers £1 to drop off or pick up passengers," says the Council.

"Our research shows that over half of all Northern Ireland air passengers get a lift from a family member or friend or take a taxi to and from the Airport."

BIA says work is nearing completion to create the new drop-off zone as well as what is says is "improved traffic flow" to the airport terminal when the system takes effect in a week's time.

The Airport says it has invested heavily in the scheme for pick-up and set-down in order to bring it into line with UK Government guidelines stating that Airports have to increase the distance between vehicle zones and the terminal building, following the Glasgow Airport bomb in June 2007. The existing layout has been redesigned to accommodate these changes.

The Airport says that in order to reduce the congestion around the airport terminal, a new pick up and drop off zone "will provide additional space for people to unload luggage from their vehicle in safety and comfort. The new area has two lanes with four rows of spaces and is double the kerb length of the previous set down facility."

The drop off /pick up zone can be used for up to 10 minutes and a charge of £1.00 will be made for each vehicle entering the area. For those driving to the airport and needing to park for longer than 10 minutes, the short stay car park adjacent to the drop off zone is the best option, says the Airport.

"In order to facilitate the new system we have doubled the time duration at the lowest rate in the short stay car park to encourage the use of this car park for those who need to stay for longer."

Care has also been taken to provide larger bays with special facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. This new facility will make dropping off at Belfast International Airport faster and easier.

Translink and Airporter buses will still be able to pick up outside the terminal building and all other vehicles over 2.1 metres in height will be able to use the coach park beside the terminal building.

Article courtesy of NI Travel News.

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