CONTROVERSIAL new drop-off charges at Glasgow Airport can rise to £30 for motorists who idle for longer than half an hour, it has emerged.
The terminal has announced it will introduce a so-called "kiss and fly tax" for the first time claiming the charge will help to reduce congestion around the airfield.
Costs start at £2 - for a stay of 10 minutes - but a motorist waiting to collect someone whose flight is delayed by 20 minutes can expect to see prices soar by 1400 per cent.
The move, due to launch this April, could also see an increase in airport taxi fares.
However, the airport said anyone wishing to use the new combined pick-up and drop-off facility for more than 10 minutes should continue to use the short stay car park.
The new fees at Glasgow comes in the wake of contentious decisions to introduce charges at Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Within four years of Edinburgh charging for drop-offs, the airport tripled its fees sparking widespread anger among motoring groups and fears that drivers would "hover" outside the terminal rather than meet the expense.
Aberdeen airport also doubled its controversial drop off charge within two years of launching.
Simon Williams, a spokesman for roadside assistance firm RAC, said: “It was probably inevitable that Glasgow would join the growing trend of charging for airport drop-off parking closest to the terminal.
"At £2 for 10 minutes the new fee comes in £1 cheaper than London’s Luton and Stansted, and £1 more expensive than Bristol. Anyone dropping off needs to be very conscious that the fees rapidly escalate to a high of £30 for a stay of over 30 minutes to an hour. Let’s hope these rates stay the same for some considerable time.”
Kevin Delaney, of the Advanced Institute of Motorists, it was likely in the wake of the fee being introduced in Glasgow that rivals in Edinburgh and Aberdeen would feel comfortable raising their drop-off charges again.
He said: "Our concern though is people risk putting themselves in danger by attempting to avoid payment, park somewhere nearby and risk walking on roads to the airport which are not designed for pedestrians."
Pauline McNeil, Glasgow Labour MSP, said she was angry Glasgow airport had introduced charges without consulting the public.
She said: “When it comes to the infrastructure around the airport there should be accountability.
"If we can’t trust the airport to be accountable to the public then the government should take control of it.”
The airport will continue to offer a free pick-up and drop-off area which will be located in the long stay car park. Customers can park for free for up to 30 minutes and a shuttle bus, which takes approximately five minutes and runs every 10 minutes, will take customers directly to and from the main terminal building.
There will be no change in the current arrangements for blue badge holders who are entitled to up to 30 minutes free parking in the short stay car park.
Amanda McMillan, managing director at Glasgow Airport, said congestion around the current drop-off area showed it was "simply no longer fit for purpose" with annual passenger numbers increasing by 3.5 million passengers in recent years.
She added: “I appreciate that not everyone will be supportive of the new charging structure, however, we will always continue to provide a free option.
"We have resisted introducing a drop-off charge despite most airports of our size having similar arrangements in place for many years, however, having exhausted all possible alternatives we have now reached a point whereby a chargeable facility is the only way to address congestion, discourage non-airport traffic and encourage best use of our road network.”
Motorists in the area for between 11 and 15 minutes will face a £4 charge, 16 and 20 minutes will be £6, 21 and 30 minutes is £10 and between 31 and 60 minutes incurs a fee of £30.
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