UK government commits to reviewing airport drop-off charges after prices jumped by a third in recent years. Major airports including Gatwick and Stansted have raised fees sharply, with Gatwick and Stansted charges climbing from £7 to £10, according to analysis by the RAC conducted in July. Edinburgh Airport raised its fee from £6 to £8.50, while Bournemouth increased from £5 to £8. Leeds Bradford and London City both charge £8, and Belfast International Airport now charges £5 for 10 minutes, up £2 from the previous year.
The Department for Transport confirmed the review, stating it was "vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly." The government also urged airports to "exercise restraint on rises, particularly where there are limited public transport alternatives."
The RAC, which campaigned for the review, found that four-in-five drivers surveyed believe drop-off charges are a "rip-off." London City Airport, which introduced charges only in 2026, charges £8 for five minutes, equating to £1.60 per minute. The RAC noted that none of the top 10 airports in the European Union charge for drop-offs. It argues international airports should not levy such fees, but that comparison reflects different ownership structures: EU airports are typically publicly owned and receive state subsidies and tax exemptions, while UK airports are generally privately owned and subject to full commercial taxation, according to Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK.
The aviation industry defends the charges as necessary to their business model. The Aviation Environment Federation has previously argued the fees help reduce congestion and air pollution around airports, and some supporters say they encourage use of more environmentally friendly transport options. Airports UK said its members offer "free drop off points" and use the charges as part of a range of traffic management tools.
This review announcement follows the government's separate decision, announced earlier this month, to scrap extra charges parents incur when sitting with children during flights, effective for next year's summer holidays. Prime Minister Andy Burnham framed both moves as "everyday fixes" to ease cost of living pressures on households.