Fury for millions of holidaymakers as three in four UK airports quietly hike ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off charges up to £10

AIRPORT drop-off charges have surged by up to in the past year in a blow for holidaymakers. Three in four of the UK’s busiest airports have increased their so-called “kiss-and-fly” fees since last summer, according to new RAC research. The average cost of dropping someone close to a terminal has jumped by £1.70 to £7 – a rise of roughly a third. A whopping 16 out of 20 UK airports analysed by the RAC have increased so-called “kiss and fly” charges – which are typically levied for dropping off a passenger as close to a terminal as possible – since last summer. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Gatwick and Stansted imposed the biggest cash increases, adding £3 to their charges. Both airports now demand £10, although drivers get up to 10 minutes at Gatwick and 15 minutes at Stansted. Edinburgh and Bristol are the next most expensive, charging £8.50 for up to 10 minutes. Leeds Bradford charges £8 for 10 minutes, while Bournemouth levies the same fee for up to 30 minutes. London City has gone from being the only major UK airport analysed which allowed free drop-offs outside its terminal, to having the most expensive charge per minute, at £8 for five minutes. Its new fee works out at a whopping £1.60 a minute – although the airport has a dedicated DLR station offering passengers an alternative to travelling by car. Most read in Money Manchester is the second most expensive by the minute, charging £5.50 for five minutes, equivalent to £1.10 a minute. It is followed by Gatwick at £1 a minute, Edinburgh and Bristol at 85p, and Leeds Bradford at 80p. The RAC even claims Gatwick’s £1-a-minute rate is marginally more expensive per minute than an August return flight for two people from the airport to Zakynthos, also known as Zante. Just four of the 20 airports analysed kept their prices unchanged this year. Liverpool John Lennon continues to charge £6 for 10 minutes, while East Midlands levies £5 for 15 minutes. The fee remains £4 for 10 minutes at Belfast City and £7 for 20 minutes at Southampton. But London City’s new fee means all 20 of the UK’s busiest airports now charge motorists to drop passengers close to their terminals. Before the pandemic, six of them – including Heathrow and Gatwick – still offered convenient drop-offs free of charge. The RAC said the situation was at odds with other major airports around the world. None of the 10 busiest airports in the EU charges drivers to drop off passengers, according to its research. That includes major hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Madrid. Drop-offs are also free at international airports including Atlanta, Dubai, Shanghai and Istanbul. Warning over £100 penalties Drivers have also been warned about the growing use of barrierless “park now, pay later” drop-off zones. Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Luton require motorists to pay online or by phone before midnight the day after their visit. Drivers who fail to spot the signs or forget to pay can be sent a £100 parking charge notice. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “It’s disappointing to see so many airports charging so much for what many regard as a simple act of kindness in dropping off family and friends. “Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these ‘farewell fees’ – especially when they’re completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate. “Of course, airports need to manage the limited space they have carefully, but if free, convenient drop-off zones work at so many other international airports then why not here?” Mr Dennis urged drivers to be “extremely careful” when using barrierless drop-off areas. He added: “Those that drop off but miss the signage, or forget to go online or phone the airport to pay soon afterwards, can face a parking charge notice as high as £100 – a fee that feels distinctly disproportionate to the contravention.” The RAC recommends checking for free short-term parking or alternative drop-off areas before setting off. However, motorists should study the time restrictions carefully, particularly if they plan to leave their vehicle and accompany a passenger to the terminal. Industry body AirportsUK said the fees help airports offer a wide range of flights and manage congestion. A spokesperson said: “Where drop-off fees are charged, these are a part of the airport business model and help support the provision of the widest variety of flights from the airport. “They are also necessary to manage congestion, and the traffic and air pollution concerns of our local communities, as well as our climate change objectives. How can I avoid drop-off charges? Even if there’s a charge to park right outside the terminal, there are normally ways to avoid paying this. Normally, there are free alternative drop-off areas in one of the mid- or longer-stay car parks. For example, drop-offs at any of Heathrow’s various long-stay car parks are free for 30 minutes. From here, travellers can get on a transit bus to the terminal free of charge. Passengers travelling from London Luton can be dropped off for free at its mid-stay car park, which is only a 10-minute walk from the terminal. What if I need to park at the airport? If you need to park at the airport and aren’t getting dropped off, book your airport parking online in advance to get the best deal. You’ll save hundreds of pounds compared to paying on the day. Most airports offer on-site parking, which you can book directly via their website before you travel. Private firms also offer parking outside the airport grounds. Typically, you’ll be met at the terminal, and your car will be parked for you, then returned when you arrive home. Use a comparison site such as Holiday Extras, Airpark or SkyParkSecure, but check on MoneySavingExpert.com’s airport parking guide first, as it has discounts of up to 45% via its links. It’s also worth opting for a flexible booking in case of any flight delays or cancellations. Make sure to check reviews carefully before choosing a private airport parking firm. There have been scams in the past, in which cars have been damaged or fined while their owners have been away. It’s also worth paying for your parking with a credit card. This means you could claim a refund from your bank if the company goes bust or doesn’t provide the service promised. Comment now