Drivers Face £100 Fines for Picking Up Outside Airport Drop-Off Zone
Belfast City Airport warns drivers of £100 fines for pickups outside designated areas, raising concerns over safety and signage.
Belfast, Northern Ireland, Airport, Fines, Traffic Rules
Belfast: Drivers are getting hit with hefty fines for picking up passengers outside the official drop-off zones at the airport. It can cost you £100 if you’re caught.
At Belfast City Airport, they charge £3 for the first ten minutes for drop-offs or pickups. But if you park in the long-stay car park, you can stay for up to ten minutes for free. Still, they’ve got cameras watching for anyone who stops in the wrong spots.
This whole situation came to light when Tim Cairns, a former DUP Special Advisor, got slapped with a fine for parking in a layby near the airport. He took to social media to vent, saying he didn’t see any signs warning about the fines. He felt it was a bit sneaky.
He also mentioned that the letter about his fine arrived too late for him to pay the reduced amount of £60, which is only available if you pay within 14 days.
An airport spokesperson explained that safety is their top priority. They said cars stopping in ‘no stop zones’ can be dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians, plus it blocks emergency vehicles. That’s why they’ve started issuing fines.
They claim there are around 60 signs around the airport clearly stating that stopping in those zones can lead to a fine of up to £100, or £60 if you pay quickly. They also pointed out that you can still park for free for ten minutes in the Long Stay Car Park, which is just a short walk from the terminal.