Bristol Airport drop-off charges to increase

The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport will increase by £1.50 after a series of yearly rises.

From Monday, it will cost £8.50 to park for 10 minutes at the Drop Off & Pick Up car park next to the terminal, as well as the Short Stay car park a short walk away.

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget, which it said would see the airport's business rates bill significantly increase.

A spokesperson for the Treasury said it had delivered a £4.2bn support package to cap business rates, adding airports must follow consumer law and justify their charges.

The charge for the car parks has risen a number of times in recent years, going from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025.

Bristol Airport said the prices for parking in the Minibus and Over Height car park would be increasing from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes, and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes.

Blue badge holders dropping off family and friends will still be allowed to use the drop-off car park for up to 40 minutes, but for an increased cost of £8.50.

A recent analysis of government figures, external by news agency PA Media found regional airports were among those facing the sharpest increases in business rates of any sector.

A government spokesperson said: "Airports are responsible for setting their own parking terms but must follow consumer law and justify their charges.

"We're delivering a £4.3bn support package to cap business rates bill increases at 30% before other reliefs for the largest properties, including airports. Without intervention those would be up to 500%."

The airport said the new rates would become its "single biggest non-operational cost".

"Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers," they said, adding that the decision was "needed to balance protecting people's jobs as well as its commitment to improving the customer journey" with plans to reach net zero targets by 2030.

The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport.

The Bristol Airport flyer is one option for passengers, with the bus costing £9 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.

The airport spokesperson said passengers could also make use of a free shuttle bus from its waiting zone, with the zone's capacity set to double.

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