Airports across the UK have increased charges for 'kiss and fly' drop-offs - find the comprehensive rundown of affected airports here.
**UK Airports Raise Drop-off Fees, Diverging from EU Trend**
A significant shift has been observed in the UK's airport landscape, with over half of the country's busiest airports increasing their drop-off fees in the past year. This trend contrasts with many EU airports, which continue to offer free drop-off facilities.
The largest increase has been seen at Belfast City Airport, where the fee rose by a third from £3 to £4 for a 10-minute drop-off. London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Liverpool have all increased their fees by 20%, now charging £6 for between 10 and 20 minutes, up from £5. Other airports like London Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, and Southampton are charging £7, the highest rate among them.
Cardiff Airport, which previously had no charge, now has a £3 drop-off fee, joining the list of airports that have introduced drop-off fees for the first time. Luton now charges £5 for drop-offs, while Leeds Bradford and Glasgow have added 50p to their drop-off charges.
Rod Dennis, RAC's senior policy officer, finds these increases "depressing" and notes that the "sky seems to be the limit" for the amount drivers are charged for brief stops at UK airports. He points out that drivers who help passengers with mobility issues or heavy luggage may overstay the free parking period and get charged.
Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, explains that fees charged at drop-offs help airports manage and reduce congestion, noise, carbon emissions, and air pollution for local communities. She notes that all airports offer a free drop-off facility and a variety of options to suit all passengers' needs, including premium drop-off in front of the terminal building.
However, this trend could potentially affect tourism by adding costs for travelers, making UK airports less competitive compared to EU airports. In contrast, eight of the ten busiest airports in the EU, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, and Rome, continue to offer free drop-off facilities.
Despite the rising fees, it's important to note that the main reason drivers drop off at airports is to assist with bulky and heavy luggage, according to RAC's research. Some airports offer short-stay free parking, but it is often located far from the terminal, as noted by Rod Dennis.
London City is currently the only top 20 UK airport that offers a free drop-off close to the terminal, making it a more attractive option for travellers seeking a cost-effective and convenient airport experience.
Travelers visiting the UK may find additional costs when dropping off passengers at airports, as many have increased drop-off fees in contrast to EU airports that continue to offer free drop-off facilities. This hike in fees could potentially impact tourism, making UK airports less competitive compared to their EU counterparts.
The rise in fees might affect lifestyle choices for travelers, who could face extra expenses in their financing when visiting the UK, contrasting the more budget-friendly experiences found in EU airports.
