Drop-off charges at UK airports to be reviewed after sharp increase
Confirming the review, the government said it was "vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly".
Key points
- UK airport drop-off charges have risen by a third on average since summer 2025.
- Gatwick and Stansted now charge £10, up from £7.
- The Department for Transport has committed to reviewing the fees.
Drop-off charges at major UK airports have risen by a third on average since the summer of 2025, according to an analysis by the RAC. Gatwick and Stansted were found to be the most expensive, with fees jumping from £7 to £10.
The Department for Transport confirmed it had committed to a review of the charges. It said it was vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly.
What the analysis found
Edinburgh Airport's drop-off charge rose from £6 to £8.50, while Bournemouth's increased from £5 to £8, matching Leeds Bradford and London City. London City, which only introduced charges in 2026, was the most expensive per minute at £1.60, based on its £8 fee for five minutes. Belfast International now charges £5 for 10 minutes, up £2 on last year.
The RAC said none of the top 10 airports in the European Union charge for drop-offs. It has campaigned against increases in these fees.
We know airport drop-off charges are a growing source of anger and frustration
— Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC
Industry and government response
The government said it hoped airports would exercise restraint on rises, particularly where there are limited public transport alternatives. The RAC said a review would be music to the ears to drivers.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "We know airport drop-off charges are a growing source of anger and frustration." He added that four-in-five drivers surveyed by the RAC believe the charges are a rip-off.
Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, said UK airports are generally privately owned and subject to commercial rates of taxation, unlike many publicly owned airports outside the UK. She added that airports offer a range of options for those travelling to terminals, including free drop-off points.
