Manchester Airport: Charges And Fees Explained

Manchester Airport has introduced a tariff for dropping off passengers. There is a free drop-off area, which is a bit further from the terminals, but a free shuttle bus operates 24/7 with journey times ranging from 5 to 7 minutes. Alternatively, passengers can be dropped off directly outside the terminals and train station. A £100 charge will be applied to those attempting to pick up passengers in the drop-off zone.

Charges for dropping off passengers at the airport

Dropping off passengers at Manchester Airport comes with varying charges, depending on how close to the terminal you want to be and how long you want to stay. There is a free drop-off zone close to the airport, where passengers can catch a free shuttle to their terminal. This area has a no return within 30 minutes restriction and a maximum wait time of 10 minutes.

If you want to drop off your passengers directly outside the terminal building, there is a charge of £5 for 5 minutes, and £6 for 10 minutes. There is also a no return within 30 minutes restriction in place here. If you want to stay longer than 10 minutes, you will need to head to the multi-storey car park, where you can pay on the day, but it is recommended that you pre-book your space if you think you will be longer than a couple of hours.

Police investigations into use of force during arrests

Police investigations into the use of force during arrests follow specific protocols and procedures to ensure fair and judicious outcomes. The process involves examining the circumstances leading up to the incident, evaluating the actions of both the officers and the individuals involved, and determining whether the force applied was reasonable and proportional.

In the case of the Manchester Airport incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the use of force by police officers during arrests. On July 26, 2024, it was announced that a GMP police constable was under criminal investigation for assault in connection with the first arrests made at Manchester Airport. A second GMP officer is also under criminal investigation for assault relating to a separate incident involving the arrest of two men, one of whom was PAVA sprayed.

The IOPC has obtained and reviewed various types of footage, including body-worn camera videos, CCTV footage, and videos shared by the public, to piece together the events that transpired. They are considering the force used against three members of the public (two men and a woman) during an initial incident and the force used against three other individuals (two men) in a subsequent incident. The IOPC will also assess whether the officers' responses, actions, and decisions adhered to local and national police policies and procedures.

The investigation will determine whether the officers' use of force was warranted and proportional to the situation. This includes considering the severity of the crime, the threat level posed by the individuals, and whether the individuals were actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest. The officers involved are required to submit detailed reports explaining their actions and justifying their use of force.

While the investigation is ongoing, it is important to recognise that the serving of notices does not necessarily indicate that criminal charges or misconduct proceedings will follow. The IOPC will make a decision on whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and whether disciplinary proceedings are warranted.

Criminal investigation of GMP police constable for assault

On 26 July 2024, a GMP police constable was placed under criminal investigation for assault in connection with the first arrests made at Manchester Airport. A second GMP officer is also under criminal investigation for assault relating to an incident in which two other men were arrested. The second officer is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct for alleged breaches of police professional standards, including their use of force.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is reviewing body-worn video footage from officers, CCTV footage from inside and outside the airport terminal, and footage shared by the public via their dedicated reporting line and on social media. The IOPC will consider all of the circumstances of the incident, including the force used against three members of the public (two men and a woman) during an initial incident near the car park pay machines, and the force used by officers in relation to three other members of the public during a subsequent incident, during which two men were arrested and one was PAVA sprayed.

The IOPC will also consider whether the officers' response, actions, and decisions were in line with local and national police policies and procedures. At the end of the investigation, the IOPC will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and whether the officers should face disciplinary proceedings.

The Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, has described the situation as "complicated" and "very violent," and has asked people not to rush to judgment due to the complexity of the incident. The family of the man who was kicked in the head has appealed for calm and urged people not to take part in any further protests, asking that due process takes its course and that the criminal justice system follows the evidence.

Investigations into criminal offences by members of the public

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the use of force during arrests at Manchester Airport. The IOPC has announced that two GMP officers are under criminal investigation for assault, with one of the officers also being investigated for gross misconduct. The investigation will consider the circumstances of the incident, including the force used against three members of the public and the force used by officers in relation to three other members of the public.

In parallel, Greater Manchester Police is investigating whether any criminal offences were committed by members of the public during the initial altercation and the subsequent arrests. This investigation is separate from the IOPC investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service will be involved in deciding on any charges or disciplinary proceedings.

The IOPC has reviewed body-worn camera footage from officers, CCTV footage from inside and outside the airport, and footage shared by the public. They are continuing to gather and review evidence and have encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact their incident line. The IOPC has acknowledged the complexity and rapid escalation of the situation, which resulted in injuries to both police officers and members of the public.

In a separate incident, a man arrested on a Manchester Airport flight, Donald McGregor, had his case thrown out due to the conduct of the police officer who handcuffed him.

Case against a man arrested on a Manchester Airport flight

A man arrested on a Manchester Airport flight has had his case thrown out. Donald McGregor was cleared of being drunk on an aircraft after magistrates refused to adjourn the case again, forcing prosecutors to offer no evidence. The incident relates to McGregor's alleged behaviour aboard a Boeing 787 Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Manchester in May last year.

After he didn't appear at Tameside Magistrates' Court, witness service officials tracked him down only to discover he was on duty at Manchester Airport. The officer was said to have apologised and mistakenly thought the case was listed for August of the next year. McGregor's lawyer, Adrian Palmer, stated that "the flight had landed and it was just before it stopped. It was not in the air at the time and that is when my client is told to sit down."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised charges against two men over a separate incident at Manchester Airport. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammed Amaad have been charged with offences including assaults on police officers. The CPS reviewed all available evidence, including witness statements, video footage, and expert reports, to make an independent and objective assessment of the charges.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is also investigating the use of force during arrests at Manchester Airport. The IOPC has obtained body-worn video footage and reviewed CCTV footage from inside and outside the airport terminal. They are working to piece together the relevant events and determine whether any criminal offences were committed by members of the public during the initial altercation and subsequent arrests.

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