Government to review soaring UK airport drop-off fees

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

The Department for Transport will review airport drop-off charges after they have increased by a third at most major UK airports.

The Department for Transport has agreed to review airport drop-off fees following substantial price increases at UK airports. A RAC study found that 16 of 20 major airports analysed have raised their charges, with the average cost jumping by a third to £7 since summer 2025.

Gatwick and Stansted impose the highest fees, charging drivers £10 for ten minutes and fifteen minutes respectively. Edinburgh and Bristol charge £8.50 for a ten-minute stay. Heathrow charges £7, while Manchester Airport charges £5.50 for five minutes.

The government said ministers have committed to the review 'because it is vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly', and hopes airports will 'exercise restraint on rises, particularly where there are limited public transport alternatives'. Rod Dennis, a senior policy officer at the RAC, said the announcement would be welcomed by drivers, noting that 'four-in-five drivers we've surveyed believe they are a rip-off'. He added that the charges are 'at direct odds with most major airports overseas', pointing out that the ten busiest EU airports do not charge for drop-offs, nor do major hubs such as Dubai, Shanghai and Istanbul.

How it is being reported

• Airport drop-off fees to be reviewed as people charged £10 to park for minutesGatwick and Stanstead charge the most expensive drop-off fees with a £10 charge, followed by Luton which charges £9 - see the full list of fees belowThe Mirror · 15 Oct, 12:34
• Airport fee 'rip-offs' to be reviewed after ministers raise price changesThe average drop-off cost had increased by a third to £7The Independent · 15 Oct, 12:12
• Extortionate airport drop-off fees of up to £10 for just TEN MINUTES face Government review amid growing fury over soaring costsPaying a small fortune just to pick up your loved ones from the airport seems highly unfair - and now the Department for Transport is set to review the practice.Daily Mail · 15 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Department for Transport · RAC · Gatwick · Stansted · Heathrow · Manchester Airport · Edinburgh · Bristol

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