On 14th October 2026, the government announced that it will review airport drop-off charges.
Airport drop-off charges have risen by a third
According to research published by the RAC, 16 of the UK's 20 busiest airports increased their drop-off fees between summer 2025 and summer 2026.
The average charge has risen from £5.30 to £7. That's a 32% increase in just one year.
Some airports are now charging considerably more:
| Airport | Drop-off charge | Time allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Gatwick | £10 | 10 minutes |
| Stansted | £10 | 15 minutes |
| Edinburgh | £8.50 | 10 minutes |
| Bristol | £8.50 | 10 minutes |
| Heathrow | £7 | 10 minutes |
| Manchester | £5.50 | 5 minutes |
At Manchester, that's £1.10 per minute. And you'd best make those goodbyes brief, lest you get charged £25 for lingering more than 10 minutes!
What is the government planning to do?
The Department for Transport has announced a review looking at whether airport drop-off charges are fair and affordable.
It could also examine how accessible airports are for passengers, whether free alternatives are available and what airports do with the money they collect.
In the meantime, the government has asked airports to show restraint when increasing their charges.
Why do airports charge for drop-offs?
Airports argue that the charges help manage traffic congestion, reduce pollution and fund improvements to airport facilities.
There may well be some merit to those arguments.
But with four in five drivers surveyed by the RAC describing the charges as a rip-off, it's clear that plenty of people aren't convinced!
Will airport drop-off charges be reduced?
Possibly, but don't count on it just yet.
The government has announced a review, not a ban on charges or a requirement to reduce them.
For now, our advice is to check whether your airport offers a free drop-off area before travelling. Many do, although you may need to take a shuttle bus or walk a little further to reach the terminal.
In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye open on how this progresses.