Introduction to Airport Fees for Blue Badge Holders
All British airports should stop charging Blue Badge holders for drop-offs near terminals, according to a charity for disabilities. Several people with blue badges have contacted the BBC after more than half of the busiest airports increased the so-called "kiss and fly" fees up to £7 in some cases. Many airports already offer discounts or waive the fee for disabled drivers, but Blue Badge owners say that the system is complex and inconsistent.
Current Practices at British Airports
The BBC contacted the 20 most busy airports in Great Britain to confirm their guidelines for taxes for Blue Badge owners. Some airports, such as London City, do not charge any drop-off fees for any type of passenger. Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon, and Manchester charge a drop-off fee, but Blue Badge holders do not have to pay for it. Other airports, such as Luton, Glasgow, Belfast International, Belfast City, East Midlands, Aberdeen, and Southampton, charge Blue Badge owners as well as other passengers for using the drop-off zones at the airport.
Free Drop-Off Options
All airports offer free drop-off options for all passengers away from the terminals, not just for the "Park and Ride" facilities, where people can leave their car and take a bus to the airport. Some airports, such as Bristol, Leeds Bradford, and Bournemouth, charge all Blue Badge owners for drop-offs, but allow them to stay longer than other passengers at a lower fee. Only a few airports, such as Cardiff, Newcastle, and Stansted, charge the same fee without a discount.
Criticism of Current Practices
Graham Footer, Managing Director of Disabled Motoring UK, said that some airports have "allowed greed to cloud their judgment", and argues that people with disabilities should not have to pay the fee at all. He added that disabled customers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and not to be ripped off as soon as they arrive. The charity is calling for all airports to offer free drop-offs for Blue Badge holders.
Complexity of Online Registration
Most airports that waive drop-off fees do so if a disabled driver shows their blue badge at the airport on the day. However, for some airports, such as Heathrow and Liverpool, the exception must be claimed online or on the phone before or after traveling. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, and some Blue Badge holders have reported difficulty in using these services. James Williams, a 67-year-old Blue Badge holder from London, said that he ultimately paid drop-off fees because he is "not computer literate" and found the online registration process too difficult to use.
Need for Accessibility and Ease of Use
Not all Blue Badge holders are opposed to paying the drop-off fee. Gordon Richardson, chairman of the British Polio Fellowship Board, is a Blue Badge holder, but says that he is "not against the principle" of disabled people paying the same as non-disabled people. What is most important, he says, is that the facilities are accessible and easy to use. He advises Blue Badge holders to contact airports before traveling so that the airports can have staff ready to help and ensure that they receive their discount or free parking.
Conclusion
Many of the airports that were contacted by the BBC said that their Blue Badge guidelines had been developed in consultation with groups of disabled people and with special consideration of their needs. However, the current system is still complex and inconsistent, and many Blue Badge holders are calling for a simpler and more accessible system. The charity Disabled Motoring UK is continuing to campaign for all airports to offer free drop-offs for Blue Badge holders, and for a more streamlined and user-friendly process for claiming exemptions.
