I'M WRITING to express concern over Bournemouth Airport’s ongoing failure to provide a free drop-off or pick-up area for passengers — a basic facility that the vast majority of UK airports offer.
Out of 22 airports listed in a recent MoneySavingExpert report, only three — including Bournemouth — offer no form of free drop-off or short-stay parking.
This places Bournemouth in a small and unflattering minority, far behind the standards set by most other UK airports such as Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick, and Manchester, all of which offer free alternatives even if it involves a short walk or shuttle.
At Bournemouth, drivers are charged a minimum of £5, even for a stop of just a few minutes. The car park is uncovered and often flooded in bad weather.
To make matters worse, public transport to the airport is limited and infrequent, leaving many travellers with no choice but to drive — or pay for a taxi, which can cost almost £30 from Bournemouth town centre to the airport for a journey of less than seven miles.
These high travel costs make the airport unnecessarily expensive and inconvenient for locals and visitors alike.
This system is unfair and out of step with national expectations. I urge Bournemouth Airport to introduce a modest free drop-off period, improve parking conditions, and work with local authorities to enhance public transport links.
Lina Penalva Carbonell,
Poole
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