A big change is coming to Stansted Airport's drop-off area this month that will affect many travellers.
The Essex airport has announced that it is increasing its drop-off charges for the Express Set Down area.
This change will be enforced from March 19 and is applicable for stops of up to 30 minutes, increasing after the first 15.
Stansted Airport is increasing the charge for express drop-off
Stansted says that its Express Set-Down area, located just outside the airport, is "best for a quick drop-off".
Current parking charges are £7 for up to 15 minutes and £25 for more than 15 minutes, with the maximum stay being 30 minutes.
There is a £20 charge for re-entering within 30 minutes (from your first car park entry), with all payments made online.
However, from March 19, it will be £10 for stays up to 15 minutes, and £28 for stays over 15 minutes.
Free drop-off will still be available in the Mid Stay Car Park, which is seven minutes on the free shuttle bus to the terminal.
Stansted added that pre-booked parking options remain unchanged and "continue to offer the best value for customers planning ahead".
There has also been no change to the local resident discount charge.
The Essex airport is not the only location that has increased its drop-off prices recently, with Gatwick also charging £10, following the change in January.
Bristol Airport's drop-and-go car park directly outside the terminal charges rose to £8.50 in January.
Heathrow Airport raised its price from £6 to £7 from January 1.
Multiple other UK airports also charge a £7 drop-off fee at the time of writing, including Leeds Bradford and Southampton.
When did Stansted Airport's drop-off zone become barrierless?
The price increase is not the only big change that has arrived at the airport in recent years.
Stansted introduced its new barrierless system at its Express Set Down area last January.
The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and is paid online rather than on exit.
Bosses said previously: "The ANPR technology will make dropping off and picking up passengers quicker and more convenient, reducing driver waiting times and helping improve passenger flows, and that is why we are confident it will improve the overall experience for users."
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Frequent users, including taxi drivers, can set up an account for automatic payment of Express Set Down visits.
There are also Short Stay car parks as well as Turn Up and Park options for stays longer than four hours or same-day parking.
Do you have any flights planned from Stansted this year? Let us know in the comments.
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