In light of Edinburgh Airport’s recent coach park price hike (CBW1325), airport coach facilities nationwide have come under the microscope. To find out whether operators are getting their money’s worth, Jade Milnthorpe outlines the facilities offered by airports across the UK.
Heathrow
Heathrow Airport offers a wide range of facilities for coach operators and passengers alike. Drivers collecting a group – standard service – will need to provide a vehicle registration number, operating company name or if working on behalf of another operator, then the name of that company. You’ll also need the flight number you are meeting and a payment of £28.98 inclusive of VAT. Payment can be made by credit card or cash on arrival. Upon arrival, report to the control office at the West Ramp Coach Park (WRCP), which is off the A4 at the Airport West Entrance. Open every day from 0600hrs-2200hrs except Christmas day, it has refreshment facilities and toilets. During June, July, August and September, arrive in the WRCP only after the flight has landed. Coach drivers collecting from the terminals after 2230hrs can drive straight to the terminal without obtaining a permit, as long as the coach does not arrive at the terminal before 2200hrs. [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Upon payment, in Terminal 4 you will be given a permit and the expected time of arrival of your flight. Wait in the drivers’ rest room until you are called forward to Terminal 5. If you need to return to your vehicle it is your responsibility to be at the control office in time to be released to the terminal.
Once registered, coaches will be dispatched immediately to the Forward Coach Park (FCP) which can be found by following the road signs. This park has no refreshment facility.
Coaches enter the FCP via a barrier controlled by the Coach Marshal. The coach then waits at the FCP until advised to move on to the forecourt; drivers must remain with their coach at all times in the FCP. When called, coaches depart the FCP at the exit and proceed to stops 16a and 16b. Whilst awaiting your group at the terminal, ensure your permit is clearly visible in your vehicle windscreen.
Parking bays at the terminal:
- Terminal 2: Bays 13 and 14
- Terminal 3: Bays 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13
- Terminal 4: Bays 15, 16 and 17
Alternatively, a premium service is offered for guests with a pre-booked coach bay. This service allows the coach to be waiting at terminals for all guests as they come through arrivals. They do not all have to have arrived; they can simply join the coach immediately from the moment they are ready to leave – waiting for their fellow guests in the comfort of the coach. Coach bays are available on an hourly basis.
Gatwick
London Gatwick Airport’s coach park facilities are located on the South Terminal ring road. Tickets can be purchased to access the coach parking on the day. The ticket entitles you to stay for up to three hours in the coach park and pick up your passengers from either North or South terminals. The roll-up price for one visit is £16.25. Alternatively, books of 10 or 25 vouchers can be purchased in advance from the coach park customer service centre, either in person or by calling 07718 581 043. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Prices include:
• 10 vouchers: £125.00 including VAT
• 25 vouchers: £300.00 including VAT
If you stay over three hours in the coach park you will need to pay additional charges:
• Up to 1 additional hour: £7.50
• 1 to 2 hours: £12
• 2 to 3 hours: £18
• 3 to 24 hours: £20
• Over 24 hours: £25 per 24 hours or part thereof.
London Luton
London Luton Airport welcomes vehicles of 20 seats or more, with reversing cameras, to use bay N in the bus bay area outside the terminal building. If you’re waiting for the flight to land, park up at the coach layover area in the mid-term car park for a maximum of 24 hours. All private coach hire drivers picking up passengers must have a pick-up permit, which costs £20 and can be bought on the day or pre-booked and paid for in advance. On arrival at the airport, visit the APCOA car parking office in the mid-term car park where you can purchase or pick up your pre-booked permit and find out about flight arrival times. You will only be allowed into the bus bay area to collect from bay N once the flight you’re meeting has landed. Due to the extremely busy nature of the bus bay area, it operates on a drive in, reverse out system and drivers are required to open and close the gate for passengers to board or alight the vehicle.
London City
London City Airport also offers coach parking facilities. John Coventry, part of the Customer Service Team at London City, said: “We have coach parking facilities here at the airport. Usually, coaches drive past the airport terminal building and park temporarily further down the road (we have on-site personnel to clarify where this location would be). Then, at around 10 minutes before pick-up is due, the coach will make its way to the ‘Terminal Front’ area, which is only 30 metres from the Terminal Entrance (this will be by prior arrangement with our Terminal Front Personnel, who constantly patrol this area).
“Coaches can drop off passengers at the Terminal Front area, next to the bus stops. These are clearly indicated, and again, would require prior approval from the airport. The Terminal Front patrolling officers would indicate the exact location, at the designated time.”
There are currently no tariffs applicable for coach parking, but operators are required to inform the airport of their arrival in advance, either by phone in via email.
Bristol
Bristol Airport’s ongoing development work means that terminal forecourt access is subject to change. However, at the time of writing, Zones 1 and 3 are designated ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’ areas, with 2 and 4 being used for pre-authorised rest-breaks and 5 used by private hire vehicles. Coaches will not be permitted access to the terminal forecourt unless prior notice of their arrival has been given; 48 hours is required for unknown operators and 24 hours for known operators. For unknown operators, a £12 per-access charge is payable at the Airport Administration building; known operators must pay £9 on a monthly basis following submission of passenger numbers and vehicle movements. For details on known and unknown operators – and how to become ‘known’ – search Bristol Airport TFA.
To give advanced notice of your arrival, ring 01275 473573 or email [email protected] during office hours.
Liverpool John Lennon
Liverpool John Lennon Airport offers a fast-track parking option for ultimate time-saving, security and convenience. Located next to the main terminal building – less than a minute’s walk from check-in – the fast track car park has its own dedicated entrance and exit away from the main airport traffic and is operated using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. The car park allows coach entry for drop-off and is only available to pre-book. For fast track parking, turn left off the dual carriageway as you approach the terminal building onto Dunlop Road, following the green signs for RVP. After half a mile, turn right, following signs for Fast Track Parking.
London Southend
Coach drivers wishing to park at London Southend Airport will need to purchase two spaces in the long stay car park at a total cost of £30 per day. Drop off and pickup for coaches is located at the bus stop.
Exeter
Exeter Airport allows coaches to drop off and pick up passengers; coach drivers must request permission at the barrier to access the terminal frontage. There is no tariff charge for coaches, although there are no designated facilities for coaches to stay for substantial periods of time.
Cardiff
Only pre-authorised coaches are granted entry to the terminal forecourt at Cardiff Airport for dropping off passengers. Coaches must use the left hand exit lane to leave the terminal forecourt. Alternatively, coaches may use the first long stay car park for disembarking or collecting passengers – a short walk from the main terminal building. Use of this facility is free of charge for up to 20 minutes, with normal tariff charges applying thereafter. Coach companies with special requirements can contact Cardiff Airport to discuss specific pick up or drop off arrangements.
Glasgow Prestwick
Coaches wanting access to Glasgow Prestwick Airport should pre-arrange parking at least 24 hours in advance. Pre-booked entries to car park two cost £8 for a maximum one hour stay or £15 if not booked in advance. Coach access is not permitted through the main car park entrance – access arrangements and directions are confirmed once the booking is complete. Payment must be made at the Information Centre in the main terminal. To pre-arrange parking, call 01292 511061 or 07738 544347.
Edinburgh
At Edinburgh Airport, vehicles over eight seats – such as a minibus or coach – seeking to drop-off or pick up passengers will need to use the coach park facility located to the south of the multi-storey car park. Time bands and tariffs are as follows:
Time band Tariff
0 to 10 minutes £7.00
10 to 20 minutes £10.00
20 to 30 minutes £16.00
30 to 45 minutes £21.00
45 to 60 minutes £26.00
Thereafter
£28.00 per hour or part thereof
Belfast International
Belfast International Airport has a dedicated coach park available which is adjacent to the terminal building – a charge of £6 per hour is applicable.
Aberdeen
A charged coach area is in operation within the Aberdeen Airport forecourt. An entry lane and barrier system is in place for all buses and coaches to use with designated parking areas. The coach area operates on a tariff structure:
Wait time (up to) Tariff
15 minutes £4.00
30 minutes £8.00
1 hour £16.00
1 to 4 hours* £40.00
*Maximum stay 4 hours.
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