Drivers are being warned of new parking charges when dropping off friends and family at airports as another major transport hub hikes its prices.
Bristol Airport has confirmed that it will increase its drop-off and pick-up tariff from £7 to £8.50 for up to 10 minutes from Monday, January 5, 2026.
Blue Badge drop-offs will keep their extended stay time of 40 minutes at the new tariff, while free drop off remains in the Waiting Zone.
The airport has advised motorists who are dropping off and will be staying longer than 10 minutes to use the Short Stay car park.
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Drivers are able to stay for a maximum of two hours at a cost of £60, with drivers waiting between 10 and 20 minutes facing a £10.50 charge from next week.
The move has been met with criticism from customers and experts, who have accused the airport of ripping motorists off.
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA), said it was "increasingly clear that airports are watching each other and testing just how much they can get away with".
This follows a similar move from Heathrow and Gatwick airports to hike their prices for short-stay parking.
Motorists will see parking prices at a major UK airport increase to £8.50 for 10 minutes
| GETTYMotorists now face a minimum charge of £7 at London Gatwick Airport, while Heathrow Airport charges £7.50 for between zero and 29 minutes.
Mr Wratten said: "What's most concerning is that this is becoming normalised. Each increase sets a new benchmark, and others follow.
"Left unchecked, drop-off fees risk becoming an unregulated tax on people simply trying to get to work.
"Despite what the airports say, this isn't about improving access, passenger experience or sustainability. It's about pulling the easiest revenue lever."
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Bristol Airport said the parking price changes would be introduced in the coming days
|PA
The expert also criticised airports for suggesting that travellers could make use of public transport, saying that this messaging "ignores reality".
He pointed to early departure times, specifically for business travel, which often take place at hours when buses and trains are not running reliably.
Mr Wratten noted that increasing costs and punishing drivers with expensive parking prices would not "suddenly make public transport more viable".
He warned that drivers would see these costs pushed onto workers, businesses and the taxi and private hire industry.
"Airports should be enabling access to jobs, trade and economic activity, not quietly monetising the first and last mile of a journey," Mr Wratten said.
"We urgently need a more coordinated, transparent approach that puts fairness, access and real-world travel behaviour ahead of short-term revenue grabs."