Bournemouth Airport has quietly pushed up its short-stay pick-up and drop-off fees, leaving them higher than major hubs such as Heathrow — and local taxi drivers say it was sprung on them without warning just as the summer season kicks off.
From 1 June, drivers entering the pick-up and drop-off zone must pay £8 for up to 30 minutes, up from £6 set in December 2025 and £5 before that. Stays of 30 to 60 minutes have doubled from £7.50 to £15, while one to four hours now costs £20. The new rates push Bournemouth past both Heathrow and Southampton, which sit around £7.
Jay Ahmed of Canford Taxi said drivers were caught completely off guard, describing the change as happening “under the shadow of the moon” overnight. He said passengers flying in were being charged £8 to leave with no idea what was going on, after being told to expect £6. With more than 12 years behind the wheel, he fears the rising costs will push travellers towards alternatives — getting lifts from friends or family, or meeting away from the airport — and said he could not blame them.
The airport defended the increase, saying it faced sharp cost rises including a tripling of business rates, higher employment costs such as National Insurance and rising energy bills, while continuing to invest millions in airport infrastructure. A spokesperson said it could not keep absorbing those costs without passing some of the burden onto customers.
For drivers working the airport runs, it’s another squeeze on already tight margins — and a charge that’s awkward to explain to passengers who weren’t expecting it. Being upfront about the new rates when you take a booking, and factoring them into your quote, will save some difficult conversations at the barrier.
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