Southampton Airport has come under fire from local taxi drivers after hiking its short-stay parking fee to £7 for 20 minutes — making it one of the most expensive airports in the UK for drop-offs.
The new charge, which applies to drivers picking up or dropping off passengers just a minute’s walk from the main terminal, is up from £6 previously, and more than double the £3 that was in place before July 2023. This sharp increase now puts Southampton alongside London Stansted and Gatwick as among the priciest airports for short-term parking in the country.
By comparison, Heathrow’s charge remains at £6, although this too is up from £5 last year.
Taxi drivers, particularly those operating hackney cabs, say they are bearing the brunt of the cost, as the fee is regularly incurred when ferrying passengers to and from the airport. Some claim it can make up nearly a third of a short local fare.
Adrian Bridge, a veteran of 40 years with Paragon Taxis, voiced his frustration:
“We have to pass these charges on every time to the customer. I have a lot of international customers who are disgusted to see how much you have to pay just to drop people. It is not like you are parking your car — you are just dropping someone off.
“We are bringing their customers to them, and we are having to pass on this charge. For elderly and disabled passengers, there’s no alternative. You can’t just drop them off near the train station.”
Ian Hall, who has been a taxi driver since 1981 and chairs the Southampton Hackney and Private Hire Association, didn’t hold back in his criticism:
“Southampton Airport is very expensive. It will be passed on to the customers. It is atrocious, absolutely atrocious.”
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Southampton Airport defended the fee increase:
“As part of a review of our parking facility, our pick-up and drop-off fee will be set at £7 for 20 minutes. It is important to note that no changes are being made for Blue Badge holders, who are entitled to a free 30-minute stay in clearly marked spaces within the short stay car park.
“All of the funds generated through our parking facility are reinvested into the airport and play an important role in securing new routes for the region.”
Despite the airport’s justification, the move has reignited wider concerns across the UK’s taxi industry about growing costs for drivers and their passengers.
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