Bosses at Aberdeen International Airport have revealed plans to double their controversial drop-off charge.
The original £1 charge came into force in January last year as part of a drive to reduce congestion and improve safety during peak times – sparking backlash from motorists and members of the taxi trade.
But now drivers dropping off loved ones will have to pay £2, although they will be allowed an extra five minutes to say their goodbyes.
It comes as new figures yesterday revealed the airport suffered a 14.1% fall in passengers last month, compared to the same period last year.
Last night, one furious taxi driver said the increase “beggared belief” and was prompted by “greed and profiteering”.
Dyce-based cabbie Chris Ainslie said: “It wasn’t that long ago the £1 charge was introduced for safety reasons.
“Are we to believe that conditions at the airport are now that much worse?
“The only words to describe this extra charge are greed and profiteering, at a time when you want to encourage people to use the airport and not be driven away from it.
“This is a 100% increase. It is embarrassing for a so-called international airport looking to attract more custom.
“Again, the passengers and taxi drivers are the people in the firing line.”
However, airport officials defended the move, saying it is due to an anticipated rise in construction traffic in and around the airport as part of its £20million expansion, with work due to start next month.
Those who outstay their 15-minute welcome in the barriered zone directly outside the terminal will be hit with a £30 fine.
Bosses hope the move will encourage more people to use the short stay car park rather than the drop-off zone, where motorists can park for 20 minutes for the same £2 fee.
A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “We are increasing the length of stay in the drop off zone from 10 to 15 minutes and the fee will increase from £1 to £2.
“Customers can now park in the short stay car park for 20 minutes at the same price and a free drop off area is still available in the long stay car park.
“Importantly, there will be no change for blue badge holders.
“Those with a valid badge are still entitled to a free 30-minute period in the clearly marked blue badge spaces within the short stay car park, which are the closest spaces to the terminal.
“The drop-off charge was introduced to ease congestion and manage the traffic flow in what is a restricted area.
“Over the coming weeks and as part of our £20million investment programme, there will be a significant increase in construction traffic using our lower forecourt.
“This will significantly reduce capacity in this area and as a result, we will be encouraging passengers use the car park.
“These measures will allow us to continue to provide a safe environment for passengers and all our customers during this time and beyond.”
Last March, Aberdeen City Council’s licensing committee backed plans allowing taxi drivers to pass the £1 airport drop off charge onto their customers.
Mr Ainslie said it was “difficult to say” at this stage whether that would also apply to the increased charge, as it would be a matter for councillors to decide.
Aberdeen’s airport is currently owned by Spain’s Ferrovial and Australia’s Macquarie, who struck a £1billion deal to buy it from Heathrow Airport Holdings in 2014.
Central Aberdeen candidate Lewis Macdonald said last night: “Once a charge like this is introduced it is only every going to go up.
“I think it is important that the airport have a genuine cause as nobody ever welcomes increased charges.”
