UK airports boost drop‑off fees by a third, Gatwick, Stansted cost £10

More than three‑quarters of UK airports have raised or introduced drop‑off charges for drivers over the past year, according to research by the RAC. Sixteen of the 20 busiest airports increased their “kiss‑and‑fly” fees, pushing the average cost up by about one‑third – from roughly £5.30 to £7 for a short drop‑off.

Gatwick and Stansted now charge the highest fees, £10 for a 10‑minute and a 15‑minute period respectively. Edinburgh and Bristol follow with £8.50 for ten minutes, while London City Airport, previously the only major UK hub offering free drop‑offs, now charges £8 for five minutes, making it the most expensive per minute. Four airports – Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City and Southampton – did not change their charges.

The fees are typically added to taxi and private‑hire fares, and drivers who miss payment deadlines can face penalty notices of up to £100. The RAC highlighted that none of the ten busiest EU airports, nor major international hubs such as Dubai, Shanghai or Istanbul, impose similar charges. Airport industry bodies and politicians have responded, with suggestions for review legislation and criticism that the fees exploit a captive audience.