The UK's busiest airports are hitting passengers with a hefty price tag for dropping off loved ones – in some cases, a whopping £10 for as little as 10 minutes on the forecourt. The RAC's analysis reveals that 16 out of the 20 busiest UK airports have increased their drop-off fees in the past year.
Gatwick and Stansted are among those charging the steepest prices: £10 gets you up to 10 minutes at Gatwick, while Stansted offers a slightly more generous 15 minutes for the same fee. London City Airport, which introduced charges this year, is the most expensive on a per-minute basis – £8 for five minutes, equating to £1.60 per minute.
Unlike many of its European counterparts, the UK's airports are bucking the trend by charging for passenger drop-offs. In contrast, none of the top 10 EU airports currently impose fees. Airports UK, however, defends the charges as essential to their business models and efforts to tackle climate change and congestion.
Rod Dennis, Senior Policy Officer at the RAC, is critical of these 'farewell fees', arguing that drivers are being unfairly penalised for a service they've always taken for granted. He also warns about the risk of parking charge notices in 'park now, pay later' zones – where failing to settle online or by phone can lead to an unexpected fine.
While airports argue that drop-off fees help manage traffic flow and reduce air pollution, the Business Travel Association's CEO, Clive Wratten, is sceptical. He claims that justifications for these charges have shifted repeatedly, eroding their credibility and adding to business costs.
As UK travellers prepare for summer getaways, it's essential to factor in these rising drop-off fees when budgeting for your journey – especially if you're being driven to the airport. Many popular destinations remain accessible without a visa for short stays, but it's always wise to check the latest FCO travel advice before heading abroad.