The UK government has officially launched a review into airport drop-off fees following a massive spike in prices over the last year. | Photo: Facebook
Humphrey CarterPalma15/10/2026 16:32
Following the announcement the Government will conduct a review into airport drop-off charges – a policy area the RAC has lead on for many years – 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.
“Our most recent analysis found 16 of the top 20 UK airports increased their drop-off fees between this summer and last, with average prices rising by a third to £7. But such ‘farewell fees’ are at direct odds with most other major airports overseas, where drivers can drop passengers off close to terminals free of charge. If convenient, free drop-off zones work at so many international airports, why not here in the UK?”
The UK government has officially launched a review into airport drop-off fees following a massive spike in prices over the last year. Announced by the Department for Transport (DfT), the review aims to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly, while urging airport operators to exercise “restraint” on further increases.
This government intervention comes alongside an investigation by the UK’s main consumer watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), after data revealed that all of the UK’s 20 busiest airports now charge a drop-off fee—a sharp contrast to the top 10 airports in the European Union, which offer terminal drop-offs completely free of charge.
Campaigners like the RAC point out that airports are not just increasing prices, but actively reducing the permitted time you can stay at the kerb, compounding the cost for drivers. The Business Travel Association (BTA) estimates that UK airports rake in more than £300 million annually from these fees alone.