Luton Airport opens new drop-off zone after fire

The new express drop-off zone costs £5 for the first five minutes

A new express drop-off zone has opened outside London Luton Airport's main terminal after the previous one was destroyed during a fire.

A free drop-off area has been in use since the blaze destroyed Terminal Car Park 2, the ground floor of which was the previous drop-off zone, on 10 October.

The new zone, directly outside the terminal entrance, will operate until a new combined drop-off and pick-up area is complete.

The free drop-off area, which has been operating from the mid-stay car park, will continue to operate alongside the new option which costs £5 for a five-minute stay.

Authorities said the car park fire was accidental and caused by a diesel vehicle

After that it it costs £1 per minute with a maximum stay of 20 minutes.

More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed as result of the fire.

In a joint report, Bedfordshire's fire and police services concluded the blaze was "accidental" and caused by a diesel vehicle.

A man arrested after the fire was released without any further action, police said.

The new express drop-off zone becomes the fourth option for passengers planning to be picked up or dropped off at the airport.