STANSTED Airport is to raise the charge for motorists who drop off passengers outside the terminal by 25% reports the Bishop Stortford Independent.

The charge to use the express set-down facility outside the terminal for up to 10 minutes will be increased from £4 to £5 by Thursday February 27. The charge rises by £1 a minute up to 15 minutes and is £25 for over 15 minutes.

Currently, 12% of Stansted travellers choose to be dropped off at the express set-down. The airport says this generates up to four car trips for every passenger journey and it is committed to driving reductions in this behaviour and incentivising greater use of electric vehicles.

Anita Harrison, landside operations director said: “We need to build on our good track record of encouraging a reduction in emissions from road traffic.

“This is why we are continually taking steps to encourage more passengers to think about how they get to and from the airport.

“We know our passengers want choice, and our investment in our public transport network will make it even easier to leave the car at home, while also encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles.”