APCOA PCN Manchester Airport Drop-off

ChirpyChicken

No worries people on here happy to help

njkmr

The advice on here is invaluable.
Follow the advice and all will be well.
Regards
Rob.

Umkomaas

Dannylufc said:

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share my experience and thank all the contributors in this thread — your advice has been incredibly helpful.

My case is typical of what many others have described. On a recent visit to Manchester Airport, I accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in an APCOA-managed car park. I was there for 1 minute and 24 seconds, just trying to find the way out. I even spoke to an attendant and explained the mistake. He reassured me not to worry and said he would ensure that no parking charge was issued.

Needless to say, I received a Parking Charge Notice from APCOA on 9th October.

After reading through this thread and following the excellent advice shared here, I submitted my appeal today via the APCOA website using the following text:

I am the registered keeper. APCOA cannot hold a registered keeper liable for any alleged contravention on land that is under statutory control. As a matter of fact and law, APCOA will be well aware that they cannot use the PoFA provisions because Manchester Airport is not 'relevant land'.
If Manchester Airport wanted to hold owners or keepers liable under Airport Bylaws, that would be within the landowner's gift and another matter entirely. However, not only is that not pleaded, it is also not legally possible because APCOA is not the Airport owner and your 'parking charge' is not and never attempts to be a penalty. It is created for APCOA's own profit (as opposed to a bylaws penalty that goes to the public purse) and APCOA has relied on contract law allegations of breach against the driver only.
The registered keeper cannot be presumed or inferred to have been the driver, nor pursued under some twisted interpretation of the law of agency. Your NtK can only hold the driver liable. APCOA have no hope at POPLA.

I’ll be back to update you on the progress of my appeal. Thanks again to everyone who’s contributed — your support makes a real difference.

Danny

He knew exactly what was on its way to you. He had no intention (or likely ability to) to 'ensure no parking charge was issued'.  They say stuff like that to avoid any potential confrontation. Probably chuckling as you drove away!

Agunia

I received parking charge notice on 24.19 and as you advised I used site to complain and after filling that I'm the keeper and ma email but not phone number I sent:

I am the registered keeper. APCOA cannot hold a registered keeper liable for any alleged contravention on land that is under statutory control. As a matter of fact and law, APCOA will be well aware that they cannot use the PoFA provisions because Manchester Airport is not 'relevant land'.

If Manchester Airport wanted to hold owners or keepers liable under Airport Bylaws, that would be within the landowner's gift and another matter entirely. However, not only is that not pleaded, it is also not legally possible because APCOA is not the Airport owner and your 'parking charge' is not and never attempts to be a penalty. It is created for APCOA's own profit (as opposed to a bylaws penalty that goes to the public purse) and APCOA has relied on contract law allegations of breach against the driver only.

The registered keeper cannot be presumed or inferred to have been the driver, nor pursued under some twisted interpretation of the law of agency. Your NtK can only hold the driver liable. APCOA have no hope at POPLA. 

On 27.10.25 I received from APCOA:

Your appeal for parking charge has been submitted. The case has been placed on hold and will not progress until blablabla do not assume that your appeal has been successful blablabla 

So I am waiting..... I hope it works, I will update. It wasn't easy to understand especially that English is not my first language and I translated it and twisted my brain but thanks of you guys I read everything again and again all 17 pages 😂 cos it is worth to fight for £60!!!

Le_Kirk

Agunia said:

On 27.10.25 I received from APCOA:

Your appeal for parking charge has been submitted. The case has been placed on hold and will not progress until blablabla do not assume that your appeal has been successful blablabla 

So I am waiting..... I hope it works, I will update. It wasn't easy to understand especially that English is not my first language and I translated it and twisted my brain but thanks of you guys I read everything again and again all 17 pages 😂 cos it is worth to fight for £60!!!

Just read a few of the posts on thi thread, particularly the ones that state CHARGE CANCELLED and you will understand that the appeal works.  Your English reads well to me.

Builder_Dave

Good News, 

Partner dropped off some relatives at Manchester Airport. Missed the 24hr window to pay. I received the notice through the post. Sent the exact wording email in response and just had confirmation:

"We have carefully reviewed your appeal , taking into consideration all the points you have raised and, on
this occasion, we have decided to cancel this Parking Charge." 

ChirpyChicken

thats good to hear, spread the word!

RubbishGolfNut

Heallo Everyone,
just like to post a massive thankyou to the people on this site offering valuable help and guidance.
At the Beginning of October 2025, I inadvertently drove through a drop off zone at Manchester Airport whilst trying to find the correct place to park for 30 mins free of charge to carry out twilight drop off ready for my holiday next day.
Came back off holiday to a PNC from APCOA regarding my journey through their charge zone.

Entry Time 19:41:01.  Exit Time 19:42:02.       61 seconds !!! 🤬🤬🤬

it’s quite obvious there was no drop off, unless I just opened the door and kicked them out without stopping 
I was going to appeal on this basis but thankfully, stopped, took a deep breath then searched for advice on the interweb.
came across the great advice on this forum and did a copy&paste of the reply regarding being keep but no admission of driver.
Just received my email cancelling all charges

We have carefully reviewed your appeal, and the evidence provided, taking into consideration all the

points you have raised, and, on this occasion, we have decided to cancel this Parking Charge.

As this Parking Charge has been cancelled, there is no further action required by you at this time.

Success……. 

So I’m just posting to let you know as of October 2025 this reply is still valid and still works against these charlatans.

If you have received a PNC….. take a deep breath and search for the correctly worded reply.

THANK YOU once again

Umkomaas

So I’m just posting to let you know as of October 2025 this reply is still valid and still works against these charlatans

Well done, and thank you for the confirmation that current advice continues to work. It's important for us to get that confirmatory feedback so we have confidence that our advice still remains on point. 👍