How much are airport drop-off charges?

Drop-off charges at UK airports have risen by nearly a third over the last year, new data from the RAC reveals. 

The steepest rises have been implemented at Southampton and Belfast International, the figures show. 

The fee for dropping off someone within a 20-minute interval at Southampton airport has risen from £4 to £6, while the price at Belfast International has risen 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 charge of £3 for 10 minutes, having previously not charged for dropping off. 

Drivers heading to Glasgow Airport pay £5 for 15 minutes, up from £4 for 15 minutes in 2022, while at Aberdeen the initial rate also sits at £5 for 15 minutes, up from £4 for 10 minutes in 2022.

Leeds Bradford has upped its charges to £6 for 10 minutes, from £5 for 10 minutes, while Liverpool John Lennon is now £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 sites further away.

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

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

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

Charges: UK airport drop-off charges data since 2022, according to the RAC

Charges: UK airport drop-off charges data since 2022, according to the RAC

Fee: The steepest drop-off charge rises have been implemented at Southampton and Belfast International, the RAC said

Nicholas Lyes, RAC head of roads, said: ‘Having tracked airport drop-off fees since 2016, we can see putting up charges has now become something of an annual ritual.

‘This year is no different with seven out of 21 increasing their fees and one introducing them for the first time. Drivers should brace themselves for jaw-dropping prices when they drop their loved-ones off at the terminal.

‘Thankfully the proportion of airports hiking fees this year is lower than last year, but that will be little consolation as charges across the board have never been so high.’

He added: ‘Doing your research ahead of travelling has never been more important. Many airports offer a free or reduced-rate drop-off area away from the terminal in long-stay car parks where travellers can hop on a shuttle bus connection, saving their driver incurring more expensive charges nearer the departures building.

‘Drivers tempted to drop loved-ones on the roads inside the boundaries of the airport should beware as many enforce no-stopping areas with cameras could lead to hefty penalty charges.’

An spokesperson for the Airport Operators Association, told This is Money: ‘Airports provide information on getting to and from the airport in a clear an accessible manner, ranging from public transport to car parking and drop-off options, including what they cost. 

‘Many airports offer free drop-off and pick-up alternatives with good links to the terminal. This information ensures travellers are well-informed on the range of options to suit their needs.

‘Airports that operate drop-off charges directly outside the terminal do so for a number of different reasons, including to manage congestion in capacity-restricted areas and to limit the environmental and air quality impacts of journeys to the airport. 

‘It is also done to raise revenue to support the economic model of the airport. All charges for services at an airport help keep charges to airlines lower and thus maximising the range of flights that can be offered to all passengers.’

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk