With reference to the charge Gatwick is seeking, to force flyers to use public transport as part of their response to the Secretary of State for Transport; the CAGNE committee quote –
“This move must be seen as the most disingenuous by a company seeking such vast growth. Increasing the drop-off fee just pushes more commuters and flyers to other rail stations which are simply not able to cope with even the current passenger numbers. With such congested roads, the air quality will inevitably decline, but I guess Gatwick do not see this as their problem. But it will be local authorities’, and in turn the taxpayer’s, problem to resolve.
“If Gatwick are serious about pushing flyers onto public transport, then they should be offering far more than £10m mitigation fund. Let’s see some sincerity from this CEO of Gatwick if he wants a new runway. How about Gatwick investing the drop off fee into public transport and roads, as Gatwick made £599.4m from airport and other traffic charges last year alone, as well as £147.8m on parking, profits all up on 2023 results. If they are serious about meeting the 54% of flyers arriving by public transport, then they need to be seen as not placing the burden on the taxpayer or flyer, as they did with the new station that cost £250m, £200m of which was met by taxpayers.”