A grandfather has been hit with a £25 fee after spending just 18 seconds longer than the permitted time at Manchester Airport's drop-off zone.

Eric Moffatt, 66, was delivering his daughter and granddaughter to Terminal 2 for their flight to Dubai on August 8 when the incident occurred.

Mr Moffatt, from Aigburth, Liverpool, arrived at 6.35am and departed at 6.45am, believing his ten-minute stay would incur the standard £6.40 charge.

However, his receipt revealed he had remained for ten minutes and eighteen seconds, triggering an automatic increase to the maximum £25 fee.

The terminal's pricing structure permits drivers to use the drop-off area for up to ten minutes at £6.40, with any additional time resulting in the higher charge.

The grandfather's extended stay resulted from needing to locate and use toilet facilities, which he described as being "a fair walk away" from the parking area.

Mr Moffatt explained that a medical condition requires him to visit the toilet more frequently than others might need to.

Eric Moffatt was delivering his daughter and granddaughter to Terminal 2 for their flight to Dubai on August 8 when the incident occurred

He said: "I phoned up to question it and the guy told me I can appeal but if I lose the appeal I'll be told to pay £60."

The customer service representative informed him that exceeding the time limit by even one second would result in the full £25 charge.

Mr Moffatt continued: "The guy on the phone said if you're one second over the 10 minutes you'll be charged £25.

"It just doesn't seem fair when I was 10 minutes, I wasn't 11 minutes."

Manchester Airport did not delay any flights (file image)

He expressed frustration at what he perceives as double punishment for his medical condition.

"It is a new terminal, I didn't know where I was going inside and I have a bladder problem - I feel like I'm being penalised twice for it. I've been charged £25 for 18 seconds, how is that fair?" he said.

The airport has maintained that these fees are essential for operational efficiency at the busy transport hub.

The airport highlighted that drivers seeking to avoid charges can use a complimentary drop-off point at the JetParks 1 facility

A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: "Drop-off charges help us to manage demand for access to our forecourts, where space is limited, and reduce traffic congestion.

"It means that the areas remain efficient even at busy times because people are not staying there for extended periods."

The airport highlighted that drivers seeking to avoid charges can use a complimentary drop-off point at the JetParks 1 facility.

This alternative location provides round-the-clock shuttle buses departing every few minutes, with journey times under six minutes to all three terminals.