Key facts
- Airport drop-off charges are to be reviewed by the UK government.
- Prices at major UK airports have risen by a third since the summer of 2025.
- Gatwick and Stansted charges increased from £7 to £10.
- London City Airport charges £8 for five minutes, equating to £1.60 per minute.
- Four-in-five drivers surveyed by the RAC believe airport drop-off charges are a 'rip-off'.
The UK government has announced a review of airport drop-off charges following significant price increases in recent years. Analysis by the RAC found that prices at major UK airports have risen by a third since the summer of 2025 on average. Charges at Gatwick and Stansted have jumped from £7 to £10, while Edinburgh Airport's fee increased from £6 to £8.50. Bournemouth Airport's charge rose from £5 to £8, matching Leeds Bradford and London City airports.
The Department for Transport stated that the review is vital to ensure travel remains accessible and passengers are treated fairly, expressing hope that airports will exercise restraint on rises, especially where public transport alternatives are limited.
The RAC described the review as welcome news, noting that four-in-five drivers surveyed believe the charges are a 'rip-off'. London City Airport, which introduced charges in 2026, was found to be the most expensive on a per-minute basis at £1.60 for five minutes. Belfast International Airport now charges £5 for 10 minutes, an increase of £2 from last year.
Airports UK, representing airports, stated that charges are a necessary part of their business model, contrasting them with typically publicly owned and subsidized EU airports. They also argued that charges help manage traffic and air pollution, and that airports offer free drop-off points. The Aviation Environment Federation has previously defended the fees for their role in reducing congestion and air pollution.