How much are airport drop-off charges?

Drop-off costs at UK airports have risen by almost a third in the past year, new data from the RAC shows.

The strongest increases have been made at Southampton and Belfast International, according to the figures.

The charge for dropping someone off within a 20 minute interval at Southampton airport has increased from £4 to £6, while at Belfast International the price has increased from £1 to £3 for 10 minutes.

At London Stansted, the ‘express set down’ for up to 15 minutes costs £7, unchanged from the previous year.

Belfast’s other airport, Belfast City, has now introduced a £3 surcharge for 10 minutes, where previously there was no charge for drop off.

Drivers going to Glasgow Airport will pay £5 for 15 minutes, up from £4 for 15 minutes in 2022, while in Aberdeen the original fare is also £5 for 15 minutes, down from £4 for 10 minutes in 2022.

Leeds Bradford have increased the cost from £5 for 10 minutes to £6 for 10 minutes, while Liverpool now cost John Lennon £5 for 10 minutes, up from £4 for 10 minutes.

The charges are imposed at airport hubs where people want to be dropped off as close to the terminal as possible. Free drop-offs sometimes apply for locations further away.

Six of the busiest airports have frozen drop-off charges since last summer.

For example, London’s Heathrow charges £5 with no time limit, and London’s Gatwick charges £5 for 10 minutes. Edinburgh costs £4 for the first 10 minutes, unchanged from the previous year.

Cardiff, London City and Inverness airports all have a free drop-off in the terminal forecourt.

Nicholas Lyes, RAC chief of roads, said: ‘Having Since 2016, airport drop-off surcharges have been tracked and we can see that the imposition of surcharges has now become something of an annual ritual.

“This year is no different: seven of the 21 are raising their rates and one is introducing them for the first time. Drivers should brace themselves for outrageous prices when they drop their loved ones off at the terminal.

“Fortunately, the share of airport charges is lower this year than last year, but that will be of little consolation, as costs across the board have never been higher.”

He added, “Doing your research before you travel has never been more important. Many airports offer a free or discounted drop-off area away from the terminal in long-term parking garages, where travelers can hop on a shuttle bus, saving their driver more expensive charges near the departure building.

“Drivers tempted to drop off loved ones on the roads within the confines of the airport should beware, as many enforcing no-stop zones with cameras could lead to hefty fines.”

A spokesperson for the Airport Operators Association tells This is Money: “Airports provide information on how to get to and from the airport in a clear and accessible way, ranging from public transport to parking and drop-off options, including what they cost.

‘Many airports offer free drop-off and pick-up alternatives with good connections to the terminal. This information ensures that travelers are well informed about the range of options that meet their needs.

Airports that apply drop-off charges directly outside the terminal do so for a number of different reasons, including to manage congestion in areas of limited capacity and to mitigate the environmental and air quality impacts of airport travel.

It is also done to generate revenue to support the airport’s economic model. All charges for services at an airport help to keep costs down for airlines, maximizing the range of flights that can be offered to all passengers.”