London Gatwick has the highest drop-off fees of any airport in the UK, charging a whopping £10 for 10 minutes, new analysis has shown.
London Stansted came in second in the UK, setting motorists back £10 for 15 minutes, while London City charged the most per minute with £8 for 5 minutes.
The RAC found drop-off fees across UK’s major airports has been on the rise, increasing by a third on average since last summer.
As many as 16 airports have put their prices up for motorists pulling up to terminal-side spots, known as “kiss and fly” areas.
On average, drop-offs in “kiss and fly” zones has increased from £1.70 to £7 compared to this time last year.
London City Airport only introduced drop-off fees last year, but is the most expensive on a per-minute basis. The central London airport charged £8 for just five minutes, equalling £1.60 a minute to park.
In the EU, none of the top 10 airports are said to charge for drop-offs, the RAC has said.
Airports UK, the trade body, has said free airport drop-offs are still available and the RAC added that airports do offer free shuttle services from locations away from the terminal.
Airports in the capital have been making attempts to encourage people to arrive by train and bus.
One of the conditions for Gatwick’s second runway is for 54% of passengers to be using public transport, as agreed by transport secretary Heidi Alexander.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said:“It’s disappointing to see so many airports charging so much for what many regard as a simple act of kindness in dropping off family and friends.
“Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these ‘farewell fees’ – especially when they’re completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate. Of course, airports need to manage the limited space they have carefully, but if free, convenient drop-off zones work at so many other international airports then why not here?”
He added that passengers should be careful of ‘park now, pay later’ drop of zones, where motorists may miss signage or forget to pay the charge.
How much are drop off fees at London airports?
London Gatwick
£10 for 10 minutes
London Stansted
£10 for 15 minutes
London City
£8 for 5 minutes
London Heathrow
£7 flat charge, but no waiting is allowed. Drivers must leave immediately.
London Luton
£7 for 10 minutes
