Belfast International Airport plans to scrap its free parking service have been criticised by a consumers' watchdog.
The General Consumers' Council said the decision to abolish the 10-minute grace period at its short stay car park could endanger safety at the Co Antrim site with queues of motorists circling the airport waiting to pick up friends and relatives. The airport insists its charges are among the most reasonable in the UK and has reduced the cost of the first half-hour.
A spokeswoman for the Consumers' Council said: "Originally we wanted the free period extended as opposed to a charge being introduced.
"Our concern is that the airport is forcing people to pay and park or else park illegally which has implications for the environment, safety and congestion."
The cost of the first 30 minutes has been reduced from £1.50 to £1.00. This is below tariffs at Belfast City, Glasgow, Birmingham and other UK airports.
Managing Director John Doran said: "We have been monitoring the situation for some months and the vast majority of people using the free ten minutes are actually incurring unnecessary charges by straying over the 10 minutes when they park. "We've decided to make the charging clear for customers."
Source: Belfast Today
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