Airports Spark Up Another Blow For Smokers! – What A Drag..

No pun intended….

On one of my rare mornings off, I switched on the TV just in time to watch a programme on Auntie Beeb, called Rip-Off Britain -Holidays!  Who’s subject of the day was  how Airport’s are introducing new pocket emptying  charges across the UK and beyond.    This definitely caught my interest, as I have previously  voiced my outrage about the practice of introducing a charge of £1 for a plastic bag to take through security, which before, was given out  free of charge.

As we all know, Airports are money making machines.  Lets face it, what with Duty Free Charges, which are generally far more expensive than the High Street, and the Big Brand shops charging a fortune.  The Restaurants & Bars, faced with a lovely captive audience hiking up their already extortionate prices.  We’re lucky to have any holiday spending money left by the time we reach our destination!

So I was very interested to see what new ways of emptying our pockets the Airport’s Big Boys had come up with,  and was surprised at the ingenuity and downright cheek of some of them!

The £1 ‘Fag Fee’.

This ‘trend’ started back in 2011 with Belfast International charging smokers to have a pre-flight cigarette and E-cigarettes in the Smokers Lounge. This little money spinner is fast gaining momentum and has now been introduced in other UK Airports. Back in the day,  smoker’s were free to enjoy a relaxing ciggie before boarding their flight, and even  allowed to smoke on the plane! I remember,  because I Was That Smoker! Now in a more informed and health-conscious society,   smokers are  being branded and treated  as  modern day lepers. And a handy Cash Cow it seems!

(I have since seen the light (another pun) and have been a non smoker for the past few years)

Drop off charges at the airport – before you’ve even got through the door.

Some airports are charging motorists  between £1-5  just to drop their loved ones off, get their luggage out the boot, and drive off!  Recent research found that only 6 out of our 24 airports allow you to drop off relatives/friends directly in front of the main terminal without a charge. Luton charges £2.50 for up to 10 minutes of parking outside the main terminal. Drivers who stay 15 minutes must pay £3.50 . So make your goodbyes quick!   Expect a penalty of £50 if you exceed the 10-minute time allowance at London Stansted.

Less surprising was the Baggage Trolley charge – but what has changed is that before you would get your £1 back if you return the trolley, much the same as at Supermarkets etc.  Now, that’s another £ in the Airport’s Xmas kitty you’ll never see again!.

‘Free WIFI’  Used to be unlimited – now its mainly pegged to an hour – so use it wisely, otherwise you will incur charges.

“Airport development fees” and “passenger service charges”  seems the airports have decided to charge you just for using the airport.  However they pass the charge on to the airlines who include it in the price of your ticket. For instance Norwich airport charge around £10 per passenger, whilst Heathrow charge a whopping £30 per passenger!

So – as the saying goes.  Forewarned is Forearmed.   Now I know that most of you knew about some of these charges, but this is just to make you aware of new charges being subtlety introduced for you to keep an eye out for.

Of course a solution to Airport charges?  Take a no fly cruise!  But if you have to let the Plane take the Strain, here’s  10 tips to keep you sane!

10 Tips to keep you sane on a plane!

Happy Reading

Gina