Gatwick and Stansted airports now charge drivers £10 to drop off passengers – the highest fees among UK airports, according to new RAC research. The surge comes as more than three-quarters of British airports have raised or introduced drop-off charges over the past year, with 16 out of 20 surveyed hiking their 'kiss and fly' fees since last summer. The average cost has jumped by £1.70 to £7, a rise of roughly a third.
Gatwick allows 10 minutes for its £10 fee, while Stansted gives 15 minutes. Edinburgh and Bristol follow at £8.50 for 10 minutes. London City Airport, which previously offered free drop-offs, now imposes the steepest rate per minute: £8 for five minutes, equivalent to £1.60 a minute. The RAC points out that this is marginally more expensive per minute than an August return flight from Gatwick to Zakynthos.
“Three in four UK airports have raised drop-off charges, with Gatwick and Stansted now charging £10, sparking criticism from the RAC.”
Only four airports kept their prices unchanged: Liverpool John Lennon (£6 for 10 minutes), East Midlands (£5 for 15 minutes), Belfast City (£4 for 10 minutes), and Southampton (£7 for 20 minutes).
The RAC's senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, criticised the charges, calling them a 'simple act of kindness' that has been monetised. 'Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these farewell fees – especially when they're completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate,' he said. He also warned drivers about 'park now, pay later' zones, where forgetting to pay can result in fines of up to £100.
In stark contrast, none of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union charge drop-off fees, nor do global hubs like Dubai, Shanghai or Istanbul. Before the pandemic, six UK airports – including Heathrow and Gatwick – still offered free drop-offs.
Conservative peer Lord Moylan has tabled an amendment to the Civil Aviation Bill calling for a review of the charges. A spokesperson for AirportsUK declined to comment further as their statement was cut off.
With summer holidays underway, families face the added cost of simply saying goodbye at the terminal.