Airport fee 'rip-offs' to be reviewed after ministers raise price changes

Ministers are set to examine airport drop-off fees following a significant surge in costs.

The decision follows research by the RAC revealing that more than three quarters of UK airports have hiked or introduced drop-off payments since last summer.

According to the motoring organisation, 16 out of 20 airports assessed have raised their "kiss and fly" tariffs – fees usually charged for setting down passengers as close to a terminal building as possible – over the past year.

The average price has jumped by a third to £7, the RAC stated.

This week, the government confirmed a review of the charges to "ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly".

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

He added: “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.”

Mr Dennis said that so-called “farewell fees” are at “direct odds with most major airports overseas” where drivers are able to drop passengers off free of charge close to terminals.

“If convenient, free drop-off zones work at so many international airports, why not here in the UK?” he said.

Heathrow, the country’s busiest airport, charges drivers a £7 drop off fee, while at Gatwick it is £10 for 10 minutes and an additional £1 for each minute up to 20 minutes.

At London Stansted, the cost is £10 for up to 15 minutes and £28 for between 16 to 30 minutes.

Drivers dropping passengers and Manchester Airport are charged £5.50 for five minutes.

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.”

Travellers being dropped off at airports by taxis and private hire vehicles generally have the fees added to their fares.

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

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

Chief executive of trade body AirportsUK, Karen Dee, 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.”