Research by the RAC shows that 11 of the UK’s 20 busiest airports have increased their drop-off fees this summer, with one introducing fees for the first time.
Belfast City has put charges up from £3 to £4 for 10 minutes, Newcastle has increased its fee from £4 to £5 for 10 minutes, while Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool have also increased fees by £1 and now charge £6 for between 10 and 20 minutes.
Glasgow increased its fee by 50p, taking its charge to £6 for 15 minutes, while the drop-off fee at Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton is now £7. Stays of up to 10 minutes at Birmingham’s drop-off area are free.
Cardiff Airport introduced drop-off fees for the first time this year, at a charge of £3 for 10 minutes. This leaves London City as the only top 20 UK airport not charging a fee.
RAC Senior Policy Officer Rod Dennis said: “The seemingly annual ritual of many airports hiking the cost of drop-offs is unfortunately continuing unabated.
“Airports understandably need to manage the often-limited on-site space they have. We also know some still offer short stay free parking, but the problem is it’s often well away from the terminal.
“If a driver wants to help a passenger with mobility issues or a lot of bags get to the terminal, they’ll often end up overstaying the ‘free’ period offered and getting charged.”
Top 10 UK airports with highest drop-off charges
Drop-off charges for other UK airports
