Luton Airport is going ahead with controversial plans to introduce a £1 drop-off fee despite widespread objections.

The airport said it has conducted an exhaustive review on how to better handle arriving and departing passengers because passenger numbers have grown from 7 million in 2002 to over 10 million in 2008.

It hopes the plan will improve traffic flow and encourage more travellers to use public transport.

From July 1, passengers will be charged £1 for 10 minutes for drop off, although their vehicle cannot be left unattended.

The airport is also introducing wider bays and improved lighting and is investing in traffic light equipment to control traffic flow on the roundabout in front of the terminal building.

If passengers want to avoid the charge, they can drop off or pick up for free using the Mid Term Car Park. From here, they will have to take a free two-minute bus for the terminal which runs every 10 minutes.

The airport’s MD Glyn Jones said: “By encouraging use of our mid term car park and the excellent public transport links to and from the airport we will be better able to manage traffic flows around the terminal.’

But easyJet, which opposed the plans when they were originally muted, expressed its opposition, saying passengers will not want to rely on a bus service.

Andrew McConnell, easyJet’s UK communications manager, said: “Passengers should not be charged until there is efficient access to the airport. EasyJet will continue to work with Luton Airport to find the right solutions for all passengers.”

Birmingham Airport is the only other airport in Europe that charges a drop-off fee.

By Bev Fearis