RAC issues warning as 11 UK airports raise drop-off parking charges - full list

Eleven major UK airports have increased their drop-off parking charges, according to new research. The increases have been shared by the RAC after analysis showed some of the most popular UK airports have changed their 'kiss-and-fly' fees for cars dropping off passengers close to terminals.

The airports to increase fees are some of the UK's busiest. Research by the RAC found that 11 out of 20 UK airports had put up prices since last July, with Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton joining Stansted in charging the top rate of £7 to park for a matter of minutes.

London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool all raised their prices by £1 to £6 for between 10 and 20 minutes. The RAC also found that Cardiff airport had introduced a fee for the first time, asking £3 for 10 minutes.

London Luton and Manchester airports are the most expensive on a cost-per-minute basis, the research showed, with drivers paying £5 to stop for five minutes.

Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "Drivers are a captive audience and that's why we think airports are so keen on these sorts of fees. But honestly, £7 for a stop that could be no more than 10 minutes does seem a little steep.

"And the fact that these costs keep going up year after year I think is going to be a huge source of frustration for anyone dropping off a friend or loved one this summer."

The RAC compared the UK's busiest airports with those in the European Union. It found there is no fee for dropping off at eight of the 10 busiest EU airports, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Madrid airports, reports The Sun.

RAC senior policy officer Mr Dennis said this makes increases in fees at UK airports "all the more depressing".

He said: "The sky really does seem to be the limit when it comes to the amount drivers get charged for making the briefest of stops to let friends or loved ones out to catch a flight."

Airports UK, which represents the industry, said all hubs offer free drop-off options further from the terminals, such as park and ride facilities where people can leave their car and take a bus to the airport, reports the BBC.

The research concluded that London City Airport is the only airport out of the ones included in the analysis that charges no fee.

A spokesperson for Gatwick, said: "The drop-off charge helps to limit the number of cars and reduces congestion at the entrance to our terminals and funds a number of sustainable transport initiatives."

It added that holders of a Blue Badge, which is a parking permit for people with disabilities or health conditions affecting mobility, remain exempt from the charge.

Belfast and Southampton also said Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the fees.

On lifting its kiss-and-fly drop-off prices, a spokesperson for Southampton, said: "All of the funds generated through our parking facility are reinvested into the airport and play an important role in securing new routes for the region."

One jet setter, Jazz, has come up with an easy trick to cut down costs on airport parking.

The travel content creator says there is an easy way to park before you fly for £7 to £14 per day. The London resident said: "Airport parking is typically very expensive, especially when done through airport official providers.

"I've seen prices starting from £100 for three days. If you're looking for last minute, you can be looking at £120 upwards for three days."

She insists if you download the Your Parking Space and Just Park apps, you can find "cheap and secure" parking.

Recently when travelling from Stansted airport, she used the apps and found she could park at the airport's Novotel car park for less than £14 a day, she says.

Full list of airports with increased drop-off charges:

• London Gatwick - 2024 £6 - 2025 £7

• London Stansted - 2024 £7 - 2025 £7

• London Heathrow - 2024 £5 - 2025 - £6

• Birmingham - 2024 £6 - 2025 £7

• Edinburgh - 2024 £5 - 2025 £6

• Cardiff - 2024 £0 - 2025 £3

• Bristol - 2024 £6 - 2025 £7

• Glasgow - 2024 £5.50 - 2025 £6

• Liverpool John Lennon - 2024 £5 - 2025 £6

• Leeds Bradford - 2024 £6.50 - 2025 £7.50

• Southampton - 2024 £6 - 2025 £7