Consumer Council says it is 'disappointing' that free parking is to be scrapped at City of Derry Airport

The Consumer Council has described a decision to scrap free parking at City of Derry Airport as 'disappointing'.

The airport announced changes to its car-parking tariffs last week.

Free parking for a 10-minute period is to be scrapped from today due to what the airport was concern that staff were being subject to abuse.

This is due to an increase in safety incidents in the car park as large numbers of vehicles enter and leave at high speed within the free period.

However, the price of short-term parking at the airport will also be reduced as part of the new measures.

Commenting on the changes, Scott Kennerley, Head of Transport Policy for the Consumer Council, said: “Whilst this is disappointing coming into the Christmas period, we also recognise the airport’s safety concerns and welcome the news that short stay prices are being reduced from £4 to £1 for a two-hour stay.

"This should be beneficial if there are flight delays and allow people to meet passengers inside the airport terminal building.”