The family business says the airport switch will cost them thousands

A Wirral family’s small business has hit out at Liverpool John Lennon Airport after it hiked overnight fares.

J+K Travel Limited, run by John Davies, regularly takes families, including people with special needs, as well as the elderly and disabled to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and has done so since the company was established in 2017 .John told the ECHO that until June 1, he was able to drop people off for free near the airport entrance, with just a £5 collection fee.

However, at the end of May he found out at the last minute that this was changing to a minimum of £20 for both drop-off and pick-up, meaning he would have to spend at least £40 in total to park where he had. before. He believes this could cost him thousands of pounds more a year and already has 40 bookings blocked over the next 12 months.

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He said he felt the airport was forcing them out and questioned how it was environmentally friendly, adding: “It’s ridiculous. They don’t have a leg to stand on.”

While he said he understood an increase might be needed due to the rising cost of living, he said no new facilities had been offered to drivers so he saw no justification for such an increase.

Mr Davies said the airport had given no reason for the change without any consultation, adding: “I would be more than happy to negotiate an increase, but this increase is simply unmanageable with the business.”

The airport has offered Mr Davies the option of using the airport’s Drop Off Two location, but this is located far from the airport entrance and he believes this is not functional for his passengers, some of whom have mobility issues.

J+K Travel has since raised the issue with Angela Eagle, who is running for re-election as Labour’s candidate for Wallasey at the upcoming general election. She said: “J&K Travel is a popular and successful local business offering a wide range of services – including travel to and from nearby airports.

“I have been in contact with Mr Davies for some time, first since he initially shared with me his concerns about the increase in drop-off and pick-up fees back in 2022, at which point I raised his concerns directly with the airport.

“I am disappointed to see further increases coming into effect and I am aware of the worrying impact they are having on businesses like Mr Davies. I have written to Liverpool John Lennon again about this issue and I hope they will further consider the impact of such hikes on businesses and regular users of the airport.”

An airport spokesman said: “The charges for minibuses and large coaches to use the area opposite the front of the terminal building have not changed for many years. Like many businesses, the airport has experienced various significant cost increases in recent years and it is therefore necessary to change certain charges borne by airport users to help offset its own cost increases. These rates are comparable to those at other airports.

“Minibuses with up to 16 seats have the option of using either the free pick-up and drop-off area for stays of up to 40 minutes, which are a 7-8 minute walk to the terminal via a safe pedestrian route , including pedestrian crossings. , or using an area in the long-term car park adjacent to the multi-storey car park and a short walk to the terminal, which costs £10 for up to an hour.

“We recognize the need to provide closer access to the terminal building for passengers arriving by minibus who are registered disabled and following Mr Davies’ comments we have amended our procedures so that minibuses of all sizes can pre-book for to access the front of the terminal. and thereafter claim back part of the charge so that they pay the same charge as if they were being incurred for minibuses using the long-stay car park. They will simply need to show the blue badge belonging to their passenger along with a copy of that passenger’s boarding pass to claim part of the parking fee.”

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