Airport drop-off fees to be reviewed as drivers charged £10 for minutes

The government has announced a review of airport drop-off charges, following sharp increases in recent years that have seen drivers pay upwards of £10 for just a few minutes.

Charges under scrutiny

The charges, often called “kiss and fly” fees, apply at most UK airports even for short stops. Travellers dropped off by taxis generally have the fees added to their fares.

This week, the Government said it will review the charges so that “travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly”.

RAC welcomes announcement

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “This will be music to the ears of drivers, as we know airport drop-off charges are a growing source of anger and frustration.

“We’ve brought national attention to the issue by calling out these fees over many years, so are pleased they will now be scrutinised. Four-in-five drivers we’ve surveyed believe they are a ‘rip-off’, with just one-in-10 understanding why airports charge what they do.”

Fees on the rise

RAC analysis found more than three quarters of UK airports had raised or introduced drop-off fees between this summer and last. The average cost had increased by a third to £7.

Gatwick and Stansted charge the most expensive drop-off fees at £10, followed by Luton at £9. Heathrow charges £7. Cardiff has increased the most recently, rising from £3 in April 2026 to £4.50 now.

UK airports typically offer free options for dropping passengers off in mid or long-stay car parks connected to terminals by buses.

The RAC said UK airport drop-off fees are at “direct odds with most major airports overseas” where drivers can drop passengers off free of charge close to terminals. Mr Dennis added: “If convenient, free drop-off zones work at so many international airports, why not here in the UK?”

Government and industry response

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The aviation minister has just this week committed to launch a review of drop-off charges at UK airports – because it is vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly.

“In the meantime, we hope airports exercise restraint on rises, particularly where there are limited public transport alternatives.”

The scope of the review has not yet been confirmed but it is understood it could cover affordability, accessibility, the way airports use revenue from drop-off charges and the extent to which the charges encourage passengers to use public transport.

Karen Dee, chief executive of trade body AirportsUK, said: “Airports offer a range of options for those travelling to terminals, including free drop-off points, while money raised through premium services form a part of the airport business model, helping support the provision of the widest variety of flights from the airport, benefitting passengers.

“This is vital as airports outside the UK are typically publicly owned and in receipt of state subsidies and tax exemptions, while UK airports are generally privately owned and subject to the full array of commercial rates of taxation.

“Any review will find that UK airports make excellent use of a variety of ways to manage traffic and air pollution, as per national and local government policies, to keep flight costs low, invest in infrastructure, and drive connectivity.”