Half term parking woe at airport

7:30am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Local News

Southend Airport managing director Alastair Welch Southend Airport managing director Alastair Welch

HOLIDAYMAKERS looking to get away during February half term have been left disappointed after an airport admitted its free parking scheme is not valid for that week.


At the turn of the year, bosses at Southend Airport announced they were offering free parking for the first two months of the year - but have admitted this does not apply during one of the peak weekends in that period.


A resident told the Echo she had tried to book a space during half term - which runs from February 18 to 22 - but was surprised when she was told she would have to fork over £40.


The airport’s managing director Alastair Welch said: "Like special deals offered by all types of businesses, certain terms and conditions apply for a number of reasons.


“With our free parking offer we needed to ensure there is always space available for our passengers and we need to make sure we continue to have space available for customers who choose to fly through the airport at half term.”


Airport chiefs have said that since announcing the deal, more than 500 bookings have been made in little over two weeks as people clamour to take advantage of the free passes, which apply to the 500-space Long Stay Car Park 2.


The offer, which waives the £10 a-day charge, was made to celebrate a successful first year for the terminal.


Almost one million people flew from Southend last year.


The terminal offers some of the cheapest airport parking in the country, with daily long stay parking £7.90 less than Heathrow and £30 less than London City.


Mr Welch added: “At London Southend Airport we work very hard to ensure we offer unrivalled choice and value for our customers.


“Our car parking prices are still amongst the lowest of all the London airports and we have plenty of space, free set down and pick up, a choice of short and long stay and great offers, such as our free parking offer for January and February 2013."


For more information on dates the deal is valid for, or to book, visit www.southendairport.com.

Comments (16)

8:00am Tue 22 Jan 13

Max Impact says...

Jayman and shoebury_ cyclist will no doubt be screaming and moaning how unfair and unjust it is attacking the half term get away.

So much for their theory that the free parking was to put sapc out of business as if that was the plan why not continue the free offer throughout half term...
Jayman and shoebury_ cyclist will no doubt be screaming and moaning how unfair and unjust it is attacking the half term get away. So much for their theory that the free parking was to put sapc out of business as if that was the plan why not continue the free offer throughout half term... Max Impact

8:26am Tue 22 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

Not screaming about anything.

It does, however, show the lie of the airport being a generous giving company thinking of the local community by making it's car park free. It proves that this 'gift' was nothing more than a barefaced attempt to put local parking competition out of business.
Not screaming about anything. It does, however, show the lie of the airport being a generous giving company thinking of the local community by making it's car park free. It proves that this 'gift' was nothing more than a barefaced attempt to put local parking competition out of business. Shoebury_Cyclist

9:08am Tue 22 Jan 13

jayman says...

Max Impact wrote:
Jayman and shoebury_ cyclist will no doubt be screaming and moaning how unfair and unjust it is attacking the half term get away.

So much for their theory that the free parking was to put sapc out of business as if that was the plan why not continue the free offer throughout half term...
The free parking was plan B.

however

Plan A came through and the council did the job for them.

nice to see an open and free business environment is flourishing in Southend for the betterment of local start ups entrepreneurial locals.........?
[quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Jayman and shoebury_ cyclist will no doubt be screaming and moaning how unfair and unjust it is attacking the half term get away. So much for their theory that the free parking was to put sapc out of business as if that was the plan why not continue the free offer throughout half term...[/p][/quote]The free parking was plan B. however Plan A came through and the council did the job for them. nice to see an open and free business environment is flourishing in Southend for the betterment of local start ups entrepreneurial locals.........? jayman

12:00pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Max Impact says...

Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault! Max Impact

12:57pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Eric Whim says...

well they wouldn't want to miss out on all that lovely money would they?
well they wouldn't want to miss out on all that lovely money would they? Eric Whim

1:14pm Tue 22 Jan 13

DogsMessInLeigh says...

Free parking for 2 months to celebrate...but not in half term when most will want to use the offer....some celebration..party poopers.
Free parking for 2 months to celebrate...but not in half term when most will want to use the offer....some celebration..party poopers. DogsMessInLeigh

2:10pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

Max Impact wrote:
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Not as joined as you and the council and the airport. It's like looking at some hideous threesome, a spin-doctor centipede. The airport cr@ps into the council's mouth, the council cr@ps into your mouth and you write all their cr@p here on this website.
[quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault![/p][/quote]Not as joined as you and the council and the airport. It's like looking at some hideous threesome, a spin-doctor centipede. The airport cr@ps into the council's mouth, the council cr@ps into your mouth and you write all their cr@p here on this website. Shoebury_Cyclist

2:39pm Tue 22 Jan 13

emcee says...

A bit naughty of the airport, I have to say. But then I think all these price hikes during school holidays is a big rip-off anyway.
A bit naughty of the airport, I have to say. But then I think all these price hikes during school holidays is a big rip-off anyway. emcee

4:30pm Tue 22 Jan 13

firedog says...

Its called supply and demand,all firms use it.unless you want to live in a communist state,and it seems not many do.
Its called supply and demand,all firms use it.unless you want to live in a communist state,and it seems not many do. firedog

6:09pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Nebs says...

Max Impact wrote:
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday.
Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.
[quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault![/p][/quote]Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday. Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home. Nebs

7:41pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Max Impact says...

Nebs wrote:
Max Impact wrote:
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday.
Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.
Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself.
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault![/p][/quote]Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday. Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.[/p][/quote]Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself. Max Impact

7:49pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Thames Gateway says...

it was very clear all along on the airport's website that the offer did not apply to half-term. It was not difficult to understand. However when the media picked up on the story, they neglected to state any of the exclusions....(or perhaps check the veracity of the story themselves!)
it was very clear all along on the airport's website that the offer did not apply to half-term. It was not difficult to understand. However when the media picked up on the story, they neglected to state any of the exclusions....(or perhaps check the veracity of the story themselves!) Thames Gateway

8:40pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Max Impact says...

Thames Gateway wrote:
it was very clear all along on the airport's website that the offer did not apply to half-term. It was not difficult to understand. However when the media picked up on the story, they neglected to state any of the exclusions....(or perhaps check the veracity of the story themselves!)
This is a non story, simply because of the reason stated by Thames Gateway.

Clearly the T&C's were not checked by the Echo nor those booking, when they try and book and discover that half term is excluded they moan.

T&C's are clearly stated and if you don't bother to check then thats just tough, you can't go moaning if you are too lazy to check.

How many vouchers from High Street retailers state "Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount"

or

"Not valid on special event days or public holidays"

or

"For use at this specific store only"

I bet all those moaning about the airports offer and it's T&C's don't moan about such T&C's on the vouchers they use.

but then again...
[quote][p][bold]Thames Gateway[/bold] wrote: it was very clear all along on the airport's website that the offer did not apply to half-term. It was not difficult to understand. However when the media picked up on the story, they neglected to state any of the exclusions....(or perhaps check the veracity of the story themselves!)[/p][/quote]This is a non story, simply because of the reason stated by Thames Gateway. Clearly the T&C's were not checked by the Echo nor those booking, when they try and book and discover that half term is excluded they moan. T&C's are clearly stated and if you don't bother to check then thats just tough, you can't go moaning if you are too lazy to check. How many vouchers from High Street retailers state "Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount" or "Not valid on special event days or public holidays" or "For use at this specific store only" I bet all those moaning about the airports offer and it's T&C's don't moan about such T&C's on the vouchers they use. but then again... Max Impact

9:54pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Nebs says...

Max Impact wrote:
Nebs wrote:
Max Impact wrote:
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday.
Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.
Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself.
Sorry, you give the impression that you know everything about the airport.
[quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault![/p][/quote]Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday. Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.[/p][/quote]Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself.[/p][/quote]Sorry, you give the impression that you know everything about the airport. Nebs

10:59pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Max Impact says...

Nebs wrote:
Max Impact wrote:
Nebs wrote:
Max Impact wrote:
Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements?

Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault!
Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday.
Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.
Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself.
Sorry, you give the impression that you know everything about the airport.
It's called research prehaps some people on here could try it at least once in their lives.
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Max Impact[/bold] wrote: Are you two an old Madrid couple joined at the hip replacements? Even if the airport gave every household in Southend a free holiday you would find fault![/p][/quote]Giving every household in Southend a free holiday would be great if it was in the UK, but would cost the country a fortune if it was abroad as all the money that could otherwise be spent in Southend would go to Johnny Foreigner. Holidays abroad are bad news for the country, what we need is foreigners coming to the UK for a holiday. Do you have any statistics, breaking down the number of passengers flying in and out of Southend Airport between Brits going out and coming back, and Foreigners coming in then going home.[/p][/quote]Why would I have such numbers, why not ask the airport yourself.[/p][/quote]Sorry, you give the impression that you know everything about the airport.[/p][/quote]It's called research prehaps some people on here could try it at least once in their lives. Max Impact

6:31pm Wed 23 Jan 13

BMNO6 says...

Its a bit like the drop off and pick up is now in the short stay CP (free) and a great big sign telling you and other signs directing you to said facility, but you still get the idiots parking on the bus stop, taxi ranks, double yellow lines, etc and it clearly states that the celebration free parking was not availble during HT, another classic Echo non story, but lets not let the facts get in the way of a Non strory HNY all.
Its a bit like the drop off and pick up is now in the short stay CP (free) and a great big sign telling you and other signs directing you to said facility, but you still get the idiots parking on the bus stop, taxi ranks, double yellow lines, etc and it clearly states that the celebration free parking was not availble during HT, another classic Echo non story, but lets not let the facts get in the way of a Non strory HNY all. BMNO6

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