UK airports face public backlash after increasing drop-off charges

UK airports are currently facing criticism from the public for raising drop-off charges for passengers.

The British automative services company RAC have said that their research has shown that a third of major UK airports have increased fees for drop-off cars, or ‘kiss-and-fly’ opportunities.

The charges are typically applied to those dropping people off close to the terminals.

In Bristol, charges have gone from £5 to £6 for a ten minute slot. This is not an isolated case, however, Gatwick has followed the same pattern and Edinburgh now charge £5 for ten minutes and Birmingham the same price for 15 minutes.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “It’s depressing. To have to pay £5, £6 or even £7 for the briefest of stops to simply open the boot and take some luggage out for a friend or loved one is bordering on the ridiculous.”

Glasgow and Leeds and Bradford airports have increased their charges by 50p. 

Cardiff, Inverness and London City Airport were the only airports found by the RAC to allow free drop-offs.

Passengers who travel to airports in private hire cars or taxis were found to experience increased fares, the RAC have added.

According to 59% of those polled, their reason for driving to the airport was a reluctance to take luggage on public transport.

“Some airports say the reason they charge for drop-offs at all is to discourage people from driving in the first place, but if the alternatives are non-existent, expensive or unreliable then what choice do people really have,” Rod Dennis added.

A spokesperson for trade body AirportsUK said: “Non-aeronautical income such as drop-off fees allow airports to keep charges to airlines low and to invest in sustainable transport options, benefiting travellers through lower air fares and increased connectivity.

“It also supports the record investments airports are making in improved facilities and infrastructure to create the best possible experience for passengers, as well as encourage people travelling to airports to make use of other, more sustainable forms of transport.”