Any advice on avoiding this new policy from Norwich 'Dick Turpin' Airport would be appreciated.
You're a customer. If £3 (and £1 per child) is really that important to you then fly from somewhere else. Personally, and knowing how strapped for cash many of the smaller regionals are, I applaud Norwich for having the balls to stick their head above the parapet and introduce Airport Development Fee. If you look at the increased requirements placed on these guys in the last 18 months you might understand why they are struggling.
If you take wind farms as an example, the Govt think it's a great idea and are very supportive of the very many (and growing) wind energy companies. If you take a look at a map of the proposed farms across the UK you'd be amazed at how many are in extremely close proximity to airports and their approaches. Now some energy companies are pretty good when it comes to finding suitable mitigation and some can't wait to bring the lawyers in and go to Public Enquiry. Either way it costs the airports huge amounts of money each year just to maintain the status quo (infact they don't because they're fighting a losing battle). As a direct example Norwich are currently involed in a public enquiry, which will no doubt cost them £.5 M when all is said and done. The money has to come from somewhere and this is invariably reflected in a reduction in safety enhancements, keeping the airport at the minimum level acceptable to CAA. The ADF is another bloody tax, but I for one am pleased Norwich have done it and would be more concerned about the ones who haven't.