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Recent analysis reveals that drop-off charges at the UK’s busiest airports have surged by an average of one-third since last summer. The RAC examined fees at 20 major airports, finding that 16 have increased their rates over the past year. Among them, London Gatwick and Stansted airports stand as the priciest, both charging £10 for drop-offs at points closest to the terminals.
At Gatwick, passengers face a £10 fee for a brief 10-minute stop on the forecourt outside either terminal. Stansted offers a slightly longer grace period of 15 minutes at its “Express Set Down” zone near the departures area, for the same £10 charge. London City Airport, which only introduced a drop-off fee this year, imposes £8 for a five-minute stay, making it the most expensive on a per-minute basis at £1.60 per minute. Interestingly, none of the top 10 airports within the European Union currently enforce drop-off fees, according to the RAC’s findings.
The increase in prices at Gatwick coincides with efforts to encourage passengers to use public transport instead of private cars. When the Transport Secretary gave approval for the airport’s second runway, a condition was set for 54% of passengers to travel via public transport. A spokesperson for Gatwick explained that the drop-off fees are intended to deter short ‘kiss and fly’ visits. They added, “data indicated it was influencing passengers to seek alternative options,” highlighting the airport’s extensive connections to 120 train stations across London and the South East as well as around-the-clock bus services. Additionally, free drop-offs are allowed at long-stay car parks, which provide shuttle services to terminals, and Blue Badge holders do not have to pay these charges.
Airports UK defended the introduction of drop-off fees as a necessary measure to address congestion, reduce traffic and air pollution, and meet climate change goals set by government and local authorities. However, Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, expressed frustration over the fees, pointing out the shifting justifications behind them. “First it was environmental [reasons]. Then congestion management. Then funding new routes. Now apparently it is about offsetting tax rises,” he said. Wratten concluded that because the rationale has changed multiple times, “the credibility of any justification has long since gone.
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