Posted on the 18th May 2026 in PHTM News
NEWCASTLE AIRPORT DROP OFF FEE RISE SLAMMED AS UNJUSTIFIABLE AS TAXI FIRMS COUNT THE COST
Taxi and private hire companies have condemned recent parking fee increases at Newcastle Airport, branding them an "unjustifiable charge" that hurts both drivers and passengers.
The airport raised its tariffs on Wednesday, May 6, pushing the Express pick-up and drop-off fee from £5 to £6.
Additionally, the fee for spending up to 15 minutes in Short Stay 2 - which had already risen from free to £3 in January when free terminal parking was scrapped - has now climbed further to £4.
Local taxi operators warn that the rising costs are unsustainable alongside high fuel prices. Kate Willits, whose family runs Direct Taxis, explained that the increase forces firms to pass the extra costs onto customers.
"Given the general economy at the moment, anything that means we have to pass on the charge to the customer is an issue," Willits said, adding that a £6 charge for just 10 minutes of parking is hard to justify. The financial pressure has even led some drivers to turn down airport jobs entirely.
For high-volume operators, the financial impact is immediate. Johnny Hall, who drives an eight-seater minibus from Whitley Bay, conducts multiple airport trips daily and faces even steeper fees than standard cars. Hall stated he has no choice but to pass the £7 minibus fee onto his customers due to high fuel prices.
"Nobody was bothered when it was a couple of quid," Hall said. "You can legislate for a couple of pounds here and there, that's not an issue. But £7 every time is."
In response to the backlash, a Newcastle Airport spokesperson defended the price hike, stating that charges are reviewed annually and align with other comparable airports. The airport blamed "rising operational costs" and noted that car park income is used to invest in facilities, attract top airlines, and maintain regional connectivity.
Management also pointed to the free Airport Waiting Zone at Callerton Parkway, which offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the terminal every 30 minutes.
However, taxi drivers note that the vast majority of passengers still expect to be dropped off directly at the terminal doors.
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