Three in four UK airports hike drop-off fees in past year
More than three quarters of UK airports raised or introduced drop-off fees for drivers in the past year, according to new research.
Sixteen out of 20 airports analysed by the RAC have increased so-called “kiss and fly” charges – which are typically levied for dropping off a passenger as close to a terminal as possible – since last summer.
The average cost has increased by a third.
Gatwick and Stansted charge the highest fees, at £10 for 10 minutes and 15 minutes respectively.
They are followed by Edinburgh and Bristol (both £8.50 for 10 minutes).
London City has gone from being the only major UK airport analysed which allowed free drop-offs outside its terminal, to having the most expensive charge per minute, at £8 for five minutes.
The only four airports not to increase their charges this year are Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City and Southampton.
Passengers being dropped off at airports by taxis and private hire vehicles generally have the fees added to their fares.
The RAC said none of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union charge for drop-offs, and neither do other major international hubs such as Dubai, Shanghai and Istanbul.
UK airports typically offer free options for dropping passengers off in mid- or long-stay car parks connected to terminals by buses.
– Here is a breakdown of charges for each airport:
£10: Gatwick and Stansted
£8.50: Bristol and Edinburgh
£8: Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford and London City
£7: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Glasgow, Heathrow, Luton and Southampton
£6: Liverpool John Lennon and Newcastle
£5.50: Manchester
£5: Belfast International and East Midlands
£4.50: Cardiff
£4: Belfast City
Published: by Radio NewsHub