NEWCASTLE International Airport probably lost a sizeable slice of income from its car park machines during its recent closure, so on Monday on my first business visit to the airport since then it was no surprise to find they have been rather quick to recoup some of the losses.

They have abolished the “five minutes free” at the pick-up and drop-off car park and immediately hit you with a £1 minimum charge.

Every barrier now has a small camera pointing at your number plate, so if any one is daft enough to try and not pay their picture will be at Swansea before you get home.

I do have faith in the authorities at the airport and I know that once the books have been balanced and they have regained their volcanic ash losses we will get our five free minutes back. Or maybe not!

BE Cox, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.