THE ‘dropping off’ parking fees at Bournemouth airport have been a contentious issue since they were introduced.

Last evening, however, I was disgusted to note that a further imposition has been introduced when paying for parking using a credit card. An additional £1.50, on top of the £2.50 short term fee, is charged when payment is made in this manner.

Airport parking abroad and motorway tolls etc all accept cash or credit card payments without any additional charges in the latter case. Passengers arriving in the UK will often not have sufficient coinage to pay for parking and the latest tactic takes unreasonable advantage of this.

An airport staff member confirmed the practice but had unprintable reservations. My credit card company say the additional charge is not illegal as long as there is a notice displayed to this effect on the payment machines – there is.

A H ANTENBRING, West Moors Road, Ferndown