Unprincipled ‘meet and greet’ parking operators are swindling tourists planning to depart from Gatwick Airport, resulting in exorbitant bills and various travel difficulties. As the spring and summer travel seasons loom, these unscrupulous companies have been preying on unsuspecting travelers, causing financial hardships and other travel disruptions. Holidaymakers are being cautioned about these rogue parking operators, who have not only overcharged them but also returned vehicles with damage and additional mileage. Sussex Police and West Sussex Trading Standards have been inundated with reports from disgruntled customers. These reports underscore the necessity for heightened vigilance among travelers using airport parking facilities. Authorities have stressed the importance of conducting thorough research on parking providers due to the upsurge in fraudulent activities by certain parking services at Gatwick Airport. Richard Sargeant, team manager at West Sussex Trading Standards, has voiced the challenges faced by travelers in identifying reliable parking operators. He strongly advises utilizing either Gatwick Airport’s direct parking services or businesses that have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards to steer clear of potential scams. Inspector James Biggs of the Gatwick Police Neighbourhood Policing Team has also underscored the perils of booking parking through third-party agents. He noted that these agents may assign vehicles to multiple companies, escalating the risk of mishandling. He recommends meticulous research to ensure confidence in the chosen parking provider, allowing travelers to embark on their journeys without trepidation. Oli Bedford, head of parking at London Gatwick, has clarified that the airport does not endorse these rogue ‘meet and greet’ services, many of which deceptively incorporate ‘Gatwick’ in their names. He emphasized that while these companies operate legally within airport premises as long as they adhere to airport bylaws, they are not affiliated with the airport itself. Bedford urges passengers considering off-airport parking options to ascertain the trustworthiness of these services through credible sources such as Trustpilot, Trip Advisor, or the British Parking Association, which provides additional guidance.
Gatwick Airport Travelers Beware: Rogue Parking Services Cause Financial Woes
