Birmingham airport is scrapping its drop-off fee as part of a £100 million investment programme.
The airport is investing in a new 'drop off' car park, which will be free for 30 minutes and connected with a covered walkway to the terminal entrance.
The airport's current 'drop and go' fees are charged at £1 for 10 minutes, £2 for 15 minutes, £7 for 20 minutes and £17 for 30 minutes.
As part of the investment Birmingham airport will also replace the hold baggage screening system with the latest advanced 'baggage x-ray sortation' operation, which will more than double the hourly baggage processing capacity.
Double the number of self-service bag drop kiosks will be installed as well as digital check-in branding to improve operational efficiency and aid passengers.
Paul Kehoe, the airport’s CEO, said: “We have seen enormous growth at Birmingham Airport over the last few years and we are currently welcoming 11 million passengers a year through our terminal.
“We’re therefore making this investment to enhance operational efficiency and improve the passenger journey in time for the summer 17 season, when we’ll welcome fifteen new routes with Jet2 and anticipate in excess of 12 million passengers over the next year.
“Looking more long-term, Birmingham Airport is in a unique position as in ten years’ time it will become the UK’s only HS2 connected airport, growing the catchment into London with high-speed trains and serving Birmingham from the capital in c30 minutes.
“We’re therefore working on our master plan to look at options which maximise the benefits of HS2 for Birmingham, the wider region, airlines and passengers.
“This will allow us to scope out how we can create a truly integrated transport network that can take the pressure off the overheated London system and transform our facility from a 25 million potential passenger site to 60 million plus in the future.”