UK Government Investigates Rising Airport Drop-Off Charges

Research by the RAC has found that 16 of 20 airports increased their drop-off fees during the last twelve months.

The UK Government will conduct a 12-month investigation into rising airport drop-off charges after a report revealed significant increases in fees across the country’s busiest airports. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the formal review, urging airports to exercise restraint on fee hikes, particularly where public transport options remain limited. The RAC found that 16 of the UK’s 20 largest airports raised drop-off charges by an average of one third since last summer, pushing the typical cost to £7 per transaction. This figure represents a £1.70 increase in just one year, generating an estimated £300 million annually in revenue for airport operators.

The RAC’s analysis identified London City Airport as the most expensive, charging £1.60 per minute for the standard five-minute drop-off window, potentially costing drivers up to £8. Manchester Airport followed at £1.10 per minute, with London Gatwick, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Leeds Bradford also ranking among the priciest per-minute rates in the UK. Unlike most major international airports, the RAC noted that none of the top 10 EU airports charge for drop-off services, highlighting the UK as an outlier in this regard.

Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, stated that the investigation reflects growing public frustration, with four in five drivers surveyed describing the fees as a “rip-off.” He emphasized that free drop-off zones function effectively at international airports, questioning why the UK differs from this global standard.