Gatwick Airport to charge passengers for drop-offs outside North Terminal
The changes will be brought in next month
From next month, those dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport's North Terminal will have to pay at least £5 a day for the privilege.
The West Sussex airport is bringing in the charges in an effort to recoup losses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
Currently on the airport's North Terminal is offering flights, with the South one being closed to passengers.
Gatwick Airport has said it plans to roll out the charges from March 8th, and will also introduce them at the South Terminal at a later date.
The charge will be £5 for 10 minutes, and £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes. The maximum charge will be £25 and the maximum length of stay 30 mins.
Bosses have also said the initiative will help to reduce traffic congestion and emissions for the surrounding area, as well as being a deterrent for a car-led recovery once more regular travel resumes post-lockdown.
Anyone who does not wish to pay the charge will be able to drop-off or pick-up passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
People are also being encouraged to use public transport, with a £150m project to transform the airport's railway station now well underway.
Jonathan Pollard, Gatwick Airport's Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“It is no secret that the airport is going through the most difficult period in its history and we have little choice but to explore new revenue streams that will us help us recover from the COVID-19 crisis and continue as an important provider of economic prosperity and jobs across the region.
“This new scheme will also encourage passengers to consider more sustainable transport options, including taking advantage of our excellent public transport services.
"We plan to use this charge to build on these services by using a proportion of the revenue raised to support new sustainable transport initiatives, in addition to our ongoing project to build a new £150 million airport train station which is progressing well."
The charging system and enforcement will be managed using convenient barrier free technology and by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras.
Passengers using the system will be able to pay online using a range of payment methods including credit or debit card, Google and Apple Pay. Marshals will also be on hand in the forecourts to assist passengers.
National Car Parks (EUK) Ltd has been appointed Gatwick’s operations partner on forecourt charging and will support all of the payment and penalty notice process for the scheme.