'Regrettable decision' to hike Belfast International Airport drop-off charges by 66% will push people to Dublin: Robin Swann
A ‘regrettable decision’ to hike Belfast International Airport’s drop-off charges by 66% will push people into flying from Dublin instead, the area’s MP has said.
Robin Swann went on to argue today’s announcement that fees will rise from £3 to £5 is more proof that railway links to the airport need to be reopened, something he’s frequently pushed for.
The increase comes into effect on Monday of next week, with airport officials blaming “significant cost pressures” for the hike.
The £5 tariff will buy motorists 10 minutes to leave their loved ones off. Up to 20 minutes costs £8, and up to an hour £13. Anyone who wants to spend longer seeing someone off is advised to use a short-stay car park instead.
The airport’s long-stay car park contains a free drop-off area, while blue badge holders get half an hour for free in the short-stay facility.
South Antrim MP Mr Swann fears the steep 66% increase for a zone that contains a tight time limit will put people off using Belfast International, driving them to look elsewhere for flights.
“This is a regrettable decision, as the aim should be for Belfast International Airport to be as attractive an offer as possible to help it compete with the likes of Dublin Airport,” he told the News Letter. “This price increase will not help make that case.”
The Ulster Unionist has frequently called for better public transport options at the airport.
The facility used to be served by a train halt at the nearby village of Aldergrove, which was part of a line between Antrim and Lisburn. The line was shut down more than 20 years ago and, despite occasionally promising noises from both Translink and Stormont bodies, has never reopened; that leaves plane passengers either driving there in a privately owned car, or getting buses or taxis.
In the wake of the drop-off fee hike, Mr Swann said: “This announcement reinforces my call for further and creative investment in increased public transport options, like reopening the Knockmore railway line which would run from Antrim to Lisburn via Belfast International. This would mitigate much of the need for drop-off and short-stay parking, and help save holidaymakers and commuters money.”
A spokeswoman for Belfast International Airport stated the new drop-off prices “reflect significant cost pressures that many businesses across Northern Ireland are currently facing”.
She added: “We remain committed to transforming the airport and are progressing with our £100m investment programme that has already delivered a new terminal extension, security hall and enhanced duty-free experience.
“Further improvements to the exterior forecourt layout will commence shortly to support traffic flow and public transport access.”
The airport maintains the hike will bring it into line with similar pricing structures at other UK facilities, as operators continue to face rising operational and infrastructure costs.
The airport is Northern Ireland’s busiest, last year 6.5m passengers. That’s a fall of almost 200,000 people on the year before, but still the second-highest amount it has recorded this century.