A pensioner from Clifton was shocked to receive penalty charges totalling £200 for stopping at East Midlands Airport despite having paid for both visits.
Kevin Smith, who is 68 years old, utilised the airport’s quick drop-off lane to drop off and later collect his son.
The retired man paid the £5 fee on each occasion, yet was still handed substantial fines, leaving him puzzled.
While payment was made, records show he violated a specific condition of the system.
The drop-off facility operates using automatic number plate recognition cameras without barriers, allowing drivers to stop directly outside the terminal.
The pricing structure charges £5 for the first quarter of an hour, with an additional £1 levied for each extra minute, capped at 30 minutes maximum.
Unlike traditional parking, this facility does not accept cash or permit payment at on-site machines – instead requiring settlement through a mobile application or telephone by 11.59pm the following day.
Mr Smith and his son chose to settle the charges via the application during both trips, with the initial visit occurring on June 30.
According to Mr Smith, he remained in the drop-off area for nine minutes when dropping off his son and six minutes upon collection, with £5 debited from his bank account on each occasion.
Despite this, penalty notices of £100 were issued for both visits, though these would be reduced to £60 if settled within a fortnight.
Mr Smith stated that the charges were deducted from his account on both occasions following app payment, yet the penalties were still issued, which he found unacceptable.
He expressed concern for others who may not own smartphones or understand the system, calling the situation unjust.
He noted that this was his inaugural visit to the airport and found the process bewildering, suggesting the procedure should be streamlined for users.
Investigations revealed the penalties were imposed because Mr Smith processed payment while his vehicle remained within the drop-off zone.
Guidance displayed within the application clearly states customers must ensure they have departed the area before completing payment.
An East Midlands Airport representative commented that improvements to the layout and signage were implemented last year to enhance the passenger experience.
A spokesperson for the parking operator APCOA explained that users are informed on the payment interface that vehicles must have exited the drop-off zone prior to making payment, with settlement then due by midnight the following day.
The initial penalty has already been scrapped, and Mr Smith is awaiting a response regarding the second notice, maintaining his intention to refuse payment and contest the matter through legal proceedings if required.