Key facts
- Average drop-off fees at 16 of the UK's 20 busiest airports have increased by one-third since last summer.
- Gatwick and Stansted airports now charge £10 for a 10-15 minute drop-off.
- London City Airport's fee equates to £1.60 per minute.
- Many continental European airports offer free drop-off services.
- Travellers can often avoid fees by using free parking and shuttle services at some UK airports.
Drop-off fees at major UK airports have seen a significant increase, rising by an average of one-third since last summer. Sixteen out of the 20 busiest airports have hiked their charges, with London Gatwick and Stansted now imposing the highest fees.
Stansted Airport recently increased its express drop-off charge to £10 for up to 15 minutes, making it the second-most expensive in the UK. Gatwick Airport had earlier raised its 'kiss and fly' fee to £10 for 10 minutes, becoming the most expensive. London City Airport charges £8 for 10 minutes, which equates to £1.60 per minute. Other airports like Bristol, Luton, Heathrow, Manchester, and Leeds also have substantial charges for short drop-off periods.
In contrast, many airports across continental Europe continue to offer free or very low-cost drop-off services. For example, Venice Marco Polo Airport allows up to 20 minutes for free, and Milan Malpensa offers a free waiting area for up to 60 minutes. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly also provide free drop-off zones.
These price hikes have drawn criticism from travellers and industry representatives. Clive Wratten of the Business Travel Association suggested that airports are exploiting parking fees for revenue, disproportionately affecting workers, businesses, and taxi services. Some comments described the charges as a "national disgrace."
Travellers can often avoid these fees by utilizing free parking zones at some UK airports, such as at Birmingham, Inverness, Bristol, Glasgow, and London Heathrow, though these options require additional time and planning.