UK airport drop‑off fee increases

In late July 2026, research by the RAC showed that most major UK airports had raised or introduced charges for short‑term vehicle drop‑offs. Sixteen of the twenty busiest terminals increased their fees, pushing the average cost from about £5.30 to roughly £7 per short stop. Gatwick and Stansted led the rise, charging £10 for a ten‑minute (Gatwick) or fifteen‑minute (Stansted) period, while London City Airport moved from free to £8 for just five minutes, making it the most expensive per minute. Edinburgh and Bristol followed with £8.50 for ten minutes, and Birmingham also saw a hike.

A follow‑up report a week later confirmed the same fee structure, noting that the £10 charge at Gatwick and Stansted remained in place and that the new £8 five‑minute fee at London City persisted. The RAC analysis reiterated that 16 of the 20 busiest UK airports had raised prices since the previous summer. The rise coincided with a rebound in travel demand, a record‑busy travel day forecast for 1 August, and broader concerns about higher jet‑fuel costs and potential flight cancellations.