In a recent address to the Transport Select Committee in November 2015, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill called for an increase in the number of UK airports charging motorists to drop-off passengers in order to help improve the air quality in and around the major transport hubs. Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) has therefore created a guide comparing the pick-up and drop-off charges at 20 of the UK’s busiest airports to provide travellers (and their friends) with advance knowledge of any ‘Kiss and Fly’ costs and to help them consider more environmentally-sympathetic options. The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/kissandflycost.
The research compares 20 UK airports and compares the fees for dropping off and picking up travellers, as well as the different types of payment available for doing so.
Of the 20 airports researched, 15 were all found to offer an option of free parking for dropping travellers off. These range from drop-off areas outside the terminal building to allocated areas within car parks, some of which are situated in the Long-Stay Car Park of the airport which can be a long walk or a bus ride away from the terminal. However, at those airports that do charge motorists to drop off passengers, the cost was found to vary greatly.
When it comes to picking up travellers, 11 out of the 20 airports in the survey allow drivers to park for free for short periods of time. With regards to paying to drop-off and pick-up travellers at UK airports, drivers should be aware that methods range from pay stations in the car parks to credit and debit card payments at barriers or ticket machines in the drop-off area.
Although it may be tempting to drop family and friends off directly at the airport, commonly known as ‘Kiss and Fly’, travellers should be aware of the impact this has on car-related congestion and pollution around the airport. As Kiss and Fly includes four journeys to and from the airport, involving twice as many journeys as that of driving to the airport and parking your own car, this not only doubles the mileage but can also cost more in fuel, tolls and short term parking fees when compared to pre-booking off-airport parking.
For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH),
Visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.
ENDS
About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award winning airport parking operator and retailer, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a sixth year running at British Travel Awards 2015. This year APH also celebrated its 35th year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.
Whether you’re taking golf-clubs, a snowboard, a bike or a baby seat on holiday, finding out which regulations you have to adhere to can be a headache. To help cut through all the mouse-clicking, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has created an online baggage allowance finder which is easy-to-use and regularly updated with the latest information. The tool can be accessed at: www.aph.com/community/baggage-allowances.
Media Enquiries
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk