| Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees Posted by grahame at 06:22, 17th July 2025 |     |
From The BBC
More than half of Britain's busiest airports have raised "kiss-and-fly" fees for cars dropping off passengers close to terminals, according to research from the RAC.
The motoring group found 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.
In contrast, at nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union there are no drop-off fees.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, 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 motoring group found 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.
In contrast, at nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union there are no drop-off fees.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, 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."
For Bristol Airport, set out of town on the Weston road, I advise passengers from Melksham to take the 271/2/3 Bath Bus and change onto the A4 at Bath (Dorchester Street). To save airport fees, get the bus as far as the Airport Tavern and walk in - as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so, and there is no charge for doing your "kiss and ride" in Melksham Market Place!
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees Posted by Clan Line at 14:12, 17th July 2025 | |
as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so
............you shouldn't have said that !!
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees Posted by grahame at 14:41, 17th July 2025 | |
as yet you can still arrive at this airport on foot and without a fee for doing so
............you shouldn't have said that !!
I did wonder before I posted. I don't think it's possible to walk into some of the Heathrow terminals - those in the central area - and longer, is it?
| Re: Hidden cost of flying - airport drop off fees Posted by Oxonhutch at 17:42, 17th July 2025 | |
... I don't think it's possible to walk into some of the Heathrow terminals - those in the central area - and longer, is it?
You can walk to Hatton Cross tube station and get the train for free to any of the terminals.
