Rising Complaints Over Long-Stay Meet-and-Greet Airport Parking Services Involve Theft and Vehicle Damage
There has been a rise in complaints about long-stay meet-and-greet airport parking firms involving vehicle damage, burglary, and theft while cars are in their care. A notable case involved Terence Baxter at Heathrow who booked parking through Compare Your Parking. His service was switched to Park At Airport Ltd, and upon his return, Baxter's car along with seven others were stolen, with theft documented via paperwork found in a car boot.
Some customers have also faced penalties such as parking charge notices (PCNs) for breaches while their cars were supposedly secure. Others were left stranded when the service they booked failed to materialize. The ease of entry into the parking operator market has been highlighted, with anyone able to set up as an operator without securing contracts with landowners. Some operators reportedly use hotel car parks and move vehicles to locations outside the airport perimeter.
Park At Airport Ltd blamed organised criminal gangs for the thefts, stated their cooperation with police, acknowledged a recent security breach, and announced enhanced security measures. Sussex Police eventually closed the investigation citing lack of evidence but noted that authorities continue monitoring the situation and are working with trading standards.
Which? observed that rogue operators appear on comparison sites, with some links between these sites and problematic providers. They have published guidance on the best and cheapest on-site and off-site airport parking options. In response, Heathrow and Birmingham airports have joined AM-GO, a quality-control scheme vetting parking operators.
Travelers are advised to read reviews carefully, look for the Park Mark safety logos, and be cautious of deals significantly cheaper than the average to avoid falling victim to rogue parking operators.
