DRIVERS dropping off loved ones before a family holiday are now facing a price hike at Southampton Airport.

Charges have doubled this week for those wanting to use the short stay drop off – and taxis aren’t exempt either.

Yesterday saw the new rates come in – motorists using the drop-off area now have to pay £2 for just 15 minutes in the zone.

The airport say that these charges will be put back into infrastructure, but didn’t specify why the changes had been made, or how much more money they were expecting to bring in.

They did say the new charges and time limit were in line with customer feedback.

The AA said the fees were “ridiculous” for taxi drivers.

A statement from the airport said: “The price for the airport pick-up and drop-off has increased to £2 along with a new increased time period of 15 minutes in line with customer feedback.

“The free 30 minute pick-up and drop-off area is available in all of the long stay car parks. Passengers can then catch the airport shuttle bus down to the main terminal.

“The money raised from these parking changes will be reinvested and support future investment of Southampton Airport as it looks to the future after the airport reached the 2 million passenger milestone last year.”

Other airports to charge fees include Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which also charges £2, and Stansted, which charges £3.50 for just ten minutes.

Taxi drivers who take offer journeys to the airport, said it was disgusting and outrageous.

Alan Curnow, 67, said he has been doing the route for the past 28 years.

He said: “It’s absolutely outrageous, it should be free for taxis because we are bringing the airport business.

“Unfortunately we have to pass that £2 fee on to the customer, but we do offer them the chance to walk over should we pull up somewhere else. What about disabled customers, is there any exemption there?”

Alan said he charges £15 for a journey from Southampton to the airport, with the additional £2 taking the route to £17.

The AA said taxis should be exempt from the fee.

A spokesperson for the motoring organisation said: “That is ridiculous to charge taxis.

“That is a lot of their business. How are people going to be encouraged not to take their cars if the cost of using a taxi service is higher due to the airport?

“They do bring the airport business, but I suppose the airport doesn’t like taxis too much because they don’t pay parking fees.”