Bosses at Aberdeen International Airport have decided to ease the pain for drivers who overstay their welcome in its designated drop-off zone.
Motorists stopping for too long in area have been fined £60 since a drop-off charge was introduced in 2015.
The time limit was originally 10 minutes but was later extended to 15.
Now airport chiefs have introduced a new scale of penalties, following a backlash from the public.
Drivers who stay at the drop-off area for longer than 15 minutes will be charged £10, and those who stay between 30 minutes to an hour will be charged £30.
Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, said: “We have listened to feedback and decided to stop issuing fixed penalty fines.
“These costs are significantly less than the £60 fines currently issues and drivers will still have the options of a free drop-off area which is available in the long stay car park.”
Earlier this year, the drop-off charge doubled from £1 to £2 for 15 minutes waiting time.
Airport officials defended the increase, saying it was due to a rise in construction traffic in and around the airport.
They also insist the drop-off zone was introduced to tackle “safety and security concerns” – as drivers were parking outside the terminal for long periods of time – and that money raised through the new charging system goes towards attracting more routes and sustaining existing ones.
Money also goes towards supporting the airport’s community fund, which has donated more than £1million to projects linked to education, the environment and economic regeneration.
Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Delaney said the reduced penalties would give “some consolation” to drivers – but believes the drop-off charge should be scrapped.
