Belfast Airport parking sees no improvements

Thursday, 14th May 2009

Last bank holiday weekend, George Best Belfast City Airport had its first test of a new parking scheme that it was hoping to implement. As thousands of passengers descended on the airport on Friday, management imposed a ban on drop-offs at the terminals main entrance. Many passengers were left confused and inconvenienced and a few said it had improved slightly.

The airports authorities indicated that the short stay car parks were free for the first ten minutes and passengers should now be dropped off and picked up here from now on. However, if they went over the ten minutes a charge of two pounds would be levied.

“It’s just a way of drawing passengers into the car park and getting them to pay more,” said one frustrated passenger. Other passengers said that it had made no difference to their journey as the short stay car park is only 40 metres from the main entrance.

The airport has already built a new covered walkway that runs from the main entrance to the short stay car park and airport bosses said that the new rules were in place to help prevent a terrorist attack, like the one at Glasgow Airport in 2007.

"Additional staff will be ever present at the new drop-off and pick-up area. Assistance for front of terminal access shall be provided to those passengers with reduced mobility," said Director of Operations, Mark Beattie.

← Be sure to take your bags with you
→ BAA unveils grand baggage plans
↑ May 2009 news index

Compare Airport Parking & Hotels