The airport made some changes following criticism from John Davies
A small Wirral family business has criticized Liverpool John Lennon Airport after it increased charges overnight.
J+K Travel Limited, run by John Davies, regularly takes families, including people with special needs, as well as elderly and disabled people to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and has done so since the company was founded in 2017. John told the ECHO that until 1 In June he was able to drop people off for free near the airport entrance for just £5 per pick-up.
But at the end of May, he found out at the last minute that it was changing to a minimum of £20 for both drop-off and pick-up, meaning he would have to spend at least £40 in total to park where he was supposed to. before. He thinks it could cost him thousands of pounds more a year and already has 40 bookings locked in over the next 12 months.
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He said it felt like the airport was kicking them out and questioned how environmentally friendly it was, adding: “It’s ridiculous. They don’t have a leg to stand on.”
While he said he understood there might be some increase due to the rising cost of living, he said no new equipment had been provided to drivers so he saw no reason for such an increase.
Mr Davies said the airport had offered no justification for the change without consultation, adding: “I would be more than happy to negotiate an increase, but this increase is simply unmanageable.”
The airport has offered Mr Davies the option of using the airport’s Drop Off Two, but this is far from the airport entrance and he believes it is not possible for his passengers, some of whom have mobility issues.
J+K Travel has since raised the issue with Angela Eagle, who is standing for re-election as the Labor candidate for Wallasey in the upcoming general election. She said: “J&K Travel is a popular and successful local business that provides a range of services – including travel to and from the airport.
“I have been in contact with Mr Davies for some time, first when he initially shared with me his concerns about the 2022 increase in drop-off and collection charges, and at that time I communicated his concerns directly to the airport.
“I am disappointed that further price increases are taking place and I am aware of the worrying impact they are having on businesses like Mr Davies. I have written to Liverpool John Lennon again about this issue and I hope they will further consider the impact of such increases on businesses and ordinary users of the airport.”
An airport spokesman said: “The charges for large minibuses and coaches to use the area opposite the front of the terminal building have not changed for many years. Like many other businesses, the airport has experienced various significant cost increases in recent years and it is therefore necessary to adjust some of the charges incurred by airport users to help offset our own cost increases. These fees are comparable to those at other airports.
“Minibuses with a capacity of up to 16 have the choice of using either free pick-up and drop-off for stays of up to 40 minutes, which are a 7-8 minute walk to the terminal on a safe walking route including pedestrian crossings. , or use of a space in the long-term car park adjacent to the multi-storey car park and a short walk to the terminal for £10 for up to an hour.
“We are aware of the need to provide closer access to the terminal building for passengers arriving by minibus who are registered as disabled and following Mr Davies’ comments we have adjusted our procedures so that minibuses of all sizes can pre-book access to the front of the terminal. and subsequently claim part of the fee back so that they pay the same fee as would be incurred for minibuses using long-term parking. They will simply need to show their passenger’s blue badge with a copy of the same passenger’s boarding pass in order to claim back part of their parking fee.”]
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