Manchester Airport to bring in forecourt drop-off charges in a bid to tackle congestion

DROP-OFF: Manchester Airport Terminal 3

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third busiest, has announced a new system to tackle congestion on its campus will go live on July 10. The measures it will be implementing include a charge for drop-off on the terminal forecourts.

However, it has also created a dedicated drop-off site, from where passengers will be able to board a free shuttle service to their terminal of choice.

It is hoped this measure will help ease growing levels of congestion on the airport campus by reducing the number of cars entering the busiest areas of the site.

Those still wanting to be dropped-off directly outside of the terminals will pay a £3 fee for five minutes or £4 for 10. Proceeds from this aspect of the scheme will go into a new public transport fund being set up by the airport.

This will be used to support measures to improve access to the site for employment opportunities as well as passengers using public transport. The airport will be working in partnership with Cheshire East Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to administer the fund.

Tricia Williams, COO of Manchester Airport, said: “Manchester Airport has seen a significant increase in passenger volumes in the past five years and is heavily investing in further growth and improvements to the customer experience, most notably through our £1bn transformation programme.

“This growth, coupled with imposed security restrictions on forecourt capacity and an inability to increase available space, has led to extreme congestion around the estate, especially at peak times. It became clear we had to take a more proactive approach to managing this, as Manchester Airport continues to grow, which is why we are introducing this forecourt management system.

“We are committed to ensuring people can still be dropped off for free at the airport, which is why we have invested in the creation of a dedicated drop-off site and free shuttle service. The location of the site has been carefully chosen due to its proximity to all terminal and the motorway network.

“We have listened carefully to issues raised by passengers since announcing our plans and have been able to respond to many of the concerns raised.

“Staff will be on hand prior, during and after the go live date on Tuesday July 10 to assist any passengers who need guidance or help.”

One of the main drivers of congestion is the high proportion of vehicles recirculating around the campus. At peak times, as many as one in five cars travels onto the forecourt areas at least twice.

To address this, vehicles that do want to pay the drop off charge will not be allowed to recirculate. Those that do will face a £25 penalty.