Queue must be joking: Tourists blast Glasgow Airport’s new drop-off tax

ANGRY holidaymakers last night hit out at Glasgow Airport’s new drop-off “tax”.

Long queues formed yesterday as drivers struggled to navigate the new system, opposite the main terminal.

Motorists who could previously park for free now have to pay £2 for a stay of up to 10 minutes.

Bosses blamed abuse of the free drop-off facility for the introduction of the unpopular charge.

But travellers yesterday spoke of their annoyance at the extra cost.

John Allan, 22, had just returned to Scotland after attending an awards night in Birmingham.

The Kirkintilloch man, who was with his 22-year-old student girlfriend Daniele Jeffrey, said: “It’s ridiculous.

“It’s pretty sickening that we’re forced to pay this on top of everything else you need to pay.”

Danielle added: “It just seems they try and squeeze you for all you’re worth.”

Property office worker Debbie McDonald, 43, was heading for a sunshine break in Fuerteventura but her mood was darkened by the new charge, which she described as a “tax”. She said: “While it’s not a lot of money it’s really annoying. It’s impossible to avoid.

“There are no rail links and the buses from where I live in Glasgow are non-existent.”

Duncan McMillan, 65, had flown in from Benbecula to attend a concert. The security guard, who was waiting for his daughter to pick him up, said: “Using airports has become increasingly expensive and stressful.”

But sisters Kay Love and Bernadette Miller disagreed on the new charge.

College lecturer Bernadette, who had come to pick up Kay, said: “It’s fine if it’s well organised but Kay thinks its outrageous.”

A spokesman for the airport said the system was working well after some teething problems. He added: “We had to change it because the free drop-off system was being abused and the traffic network couldn’t cope, especially at nights.”