Glasgow area MPs urge Glasgow Airport to U-turn on drop off charge increase
The airport announced last week that it would raise the fee for drivers dropping off or picking up passengers for 15 minutes from £6 to £7.
Glasgow area MPs have urged Glasgow Airport to U-turn on its decision to increase drop-off charges.
The airport announced last week that it would raise the fee for drivers dropping off or picking up passengers for 15 minutes from £6 to £7.
A group of eight MPs - whose seats all represent at least part of Glasgow - have urged Glasgow Airport owner AGS Airports to reverse the decision.
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Alison Taylor - whose seat includes the site of the airport - said the increase was “a slap in the face to all of our constituents”.
She added that some of her constituents “are now paying as much for the drop off fee as the cost of a taxi fare.”
Glasgow South West MP Zubir Ahmed said charges “should be abolished until there are suitable alternative modes of transport to Glasgow Airport.”
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The MPs who are calling for a U-turn are Ms Taylor, Dr Ahmed, Martin Rhodes, Gordon McKee, Douglas McAllister, John Grady, Patricia Ferguson and Maureen Burke.
Ms Taylor - whose seat represents a small part of the south west of Glasgow - said: “I’m dismayed at the increased charge for dropping off friends, family and work colleagues at Glasgow International Airport going to catch a business or holiday flight.
“The additional charge represents more than a 16 per cent increase in the current charge. It was introduced in 2017 at £2. The original aim as stated by the airport management then, was to ease congestion at the airport, as passenger numbers increased.
“The rationale for charging now seems to have subtly altered - the airport feels the charge is justified to help offset operational costs.
“A shift from a congestion charge to helping boost operational income is harder for people to accept and I am getting a lot of push back and complaints from my constituents.”
Ms Taylor added: “With the train link to Glasgow Airport cancelled by John Swinney when he axed the £395 million project in 2009, described as a ‘dagger in the heart of Glasgow’ by the then Labour-led city council, and no easy options to get to the airport, the increased drop off charge is a slap in the face to all of our constituents.
“Some of my own constituents who live close to the airport are now paying as much for the drop off fee as the cost of a taxi fare. This is unfair to travellers and to the taxi operators.”
Dr Ahmed said: “In a cost-of-living crisis this approach by the airport shows a lack of social conscience. The new owners of Glasgow Airport promised to invest in the fabric of the buildings to give a better customer experience.
“Labour colleagues across council and all levels of government have been calling for a rail link to Glasgow Airport to be prioritised after the SNP Government cancelled it in 2009. Ideally, these charges should be abolished until there are suitable alternative modes of transport to Glasgow Airport.
“Glasgow MPs have met regularly with the airport management and all these MPs support backing the success of the privately owned Glasgow Airport. We want to secure a long-term viable business operation. We are strong believers in the wider economic benefits the airport brings and the innovation zone around the nearby Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District.”
Glasgow East MP Mr Grady said that “residents living near to the airport find their roads congested and driveways blocked by airport passengers finding alternatives to exorbitant car parking charges.”
An AGS Airports spokesperson said: "Like many businesses, we continue to face significant increases in our operating costs. We must ensure the airport remains competitive and is able to invest in maintaining and improving the services we provide.
“We recognise that price changes are never welcome, and this is not a decision we have taken lightly.
“It’s important to highlight that a free option is always available for anyone who prefers not to use the Pick Up and Drop Off facility. Customers can park for up to one hour at no cost in our Long Stay car park and access a complimentary, on‑demand shuttle to the terminal.”
“Blue Badge holders will continue to receive 30 minutes free in the Short Stay facility.”
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