Enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Manchester Airport Group (MAG)
Received a Stansted airport parking charge?
Stansted Airport charges for use of the Express Set Down terminal forecourt, managed by Manchester Airport Group (MAG) and enforced via ANPR cameras. The tariff rose from £7 to £10 (up to 15 minutes) on 19 March 2026. Upload your notice and we will check every legal angle, free.
Is this a fine? Not in the criminal sense: the drop-off charge itself is a civil parking charge enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Manchester Airport Group (MAG), similar in legal nature to a private parking charge. If it goes unpaid it escalates to the amount shown below as “Unpaid charge”, which is what actually functions like a penalty notice.
- Current drop-off fee:
- £10 for stays up to 15 minutes, £28 for 15–30 minutes (Express Set Down, effective 19 March 2026)
- Unpaid charge:
- £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
- Pay by:
- Midnight the day after your visit (an AutoPay account can bill each visit automatically instead)
Fees checked against the airport's official page on 17 August 2026
Free scan. Pay only if you want the drafted appeal letter.
Honest assessment
Stansted charges are enforced by APCOA under MAG authority. Pre-paid pass failures and ANPR errors are the most common valid grounds. Keeper liability under POFA 2012 may apply if the NtK was served late or incorrectly.
Common grounds found in Stansted charges
These are the most common legal issues we identify. Upload your notice and we check all of them automatically.
- ANPR misread — camera capturing wrong plate in high-traffic conditions
- Charged despite having a valid pre-paid drop-off pass
- Keeper liability — NtK not served within 14 days as required by POFA 2012
- Paid session not registered in the system despite completing payment
- Vehicle in drop-off zone for under the free period but still charged
- Signage not clearly visible on approach to the drop-off road
How to challenge a Stansted charge
- 1
Upload your charge notice
Take a photo or upload a PDF of your Stansted airport parking charge. Include both sides if it arrived by post.
- 2
We check the law
We extract the key facts and check them against POFA 2012, the relevant Code of Practice, ANPR accuracy requirements, and your own account of what happened.
- 3
Get your free assessment
You receive an honest assessment of your grounds, including whether the charge appears valid. If you have grounds, we draft your appeal letter for £9.99.
- 4
Appeal to MAG / Stansted Airport Ltd (then POPLA if via APCOA)
We identify the correct appeals route for your specific charge and provide a tailored response letter covering your grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Stansted airport parking charge legally enforceable?▼
It depends on the specific circumstances. Airport charges are enforced under civil contract law. Even airport operators must comply with POFA 2012 if they want to pursue the registered keeper rather than the driver. ANPR accuracy is also a legal requirement. A free scan will identify whether your specific charge has defects.
What happens if I ignore a Stansted charge?▼
Ignoring the charge may lead to it being passed to a debt collection agency and potentially a county court claim. We recommend getting a free scan first to understand your position before deciding whether to pay or challenge.
How long do I have to appeal a Stansted airport charge?▼
Typically 28 days from the date of the notice. Check your notice for the exact deadline: these are time-critical, and missing the window reduces your options significantly.
Can the airport take me to court for a drop-off charge?▼
In theory, yes. If you receive a Letter Before Claim, you should respond within 30 days. We provide a Letter Before Claim response pack for that stage.
Check your Stansted charge now, free
Honest assessment. We tell you if the charge appears valid. Pay only if you want the drafted appeal letter.
Start free scanLegal information only, not legal advice. For urgent matters, speak to a qualified adviser.
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