United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Airports under spotlight over pick-up and drop-off fees
Motoring group the RAC has described drop-off and pick-up charges at UK airports as ‘eye-watering’, saying some have doubled over the past year.
The company’s research found eight of the top 20 UK airports had increased pick-up fees, while five airports had raised charges for drivers dropping passengers off.
Stansted is the most expensive UK airport for drop-off charges, with prices up 50p to £3.50 for 10 minutes in the past year.
Liverpool John Lennon increased drop-off fees by 50%, from £2 for 20 minutes to £3 for 30 minutes, while Birmingham doubled its charge from £1 to £2 for 10 minutes.
Glasgow scrapped its free drop-off charge in April and introduced a £2 for 10-minute charge, while Southampton also introduced a fee, of £1 for 10-minutes.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "The eye-watering drop-off and pick-up costs at some airports is likely to be viewed by drivers as another way of making money out of them – particularly in instances where public transport to and from the airport simply isn’t a viable option.
"Drop-off charges are the biggest bone of contention, as for many they appear severe when they are simply pulling up for less than five minutes and often don’t even get out of the car themselves."
For pick ups, Luton airport is the most expensive, charging £7 for 40 minutes; Stansted charges £5 for 30 minutes, Gatwick charges £3.50.
London City airport raised fees by £1, to £3.50 for a 10-minute stop, while Southampton and Cardiff airports both introduced pick up charges of £1 for 10 minutes, having previously charged nothing for the first 10 or 20 minutes respectively.
Belfast City, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool John Lennon currently offer free short-stay parking for pick ups.
The Airport Operators Association said charges were clearly flagged up and passengers have a ‘high level of awareness of the different ways they can choose to get to the airport, ranging from public transport to travelling by car’.
Related News Stories:
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled