Labour to review airport drop-off costs as parking charges soar to record highs

Drivers could be in line to save money when dropping someone off at the airport as the Government looks set to review drop-off parking prices.

The Department for Transport has confirmed that it is committed to a review to ensure “travel remains accessible” and that passengers are not taken advantage of.

It added that it hoped airports would “exercise restraint” on price rises, following a number of high-profile hikes in recent years.

Data from the RAC suggests that drop-off charges at major UK airports have jumped by one-third over the last year.

The so-called “kiss and fly” costs have risen to new highs recently, especially at Gatwick and Stansted, where charges have risen from £7 to £10, the BBC reported.

Other airports have also hiked prices, such as Edinburgh (£6 to £8.50), while Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford and London City have hiked costs from £5 to £8.

London City Airport charges £8 for just five minutes, making it the most expensive on a per-mile basis, despite only starting charging this year.

Commenting on the promise of a new review into drop-off prices, Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said it would be “music to the ears of drivers”.

He acknowledged that expensive airport drop-off charges are a “growing source of anger and frustration” for motorists.

Mr Dennis added: “We’ve brought national attention to the issue by calling out these fees over many years, so [we] 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.”

Of the 20 most popular airports across the UK, 16 of them have increased their drop-off fees between last summer and this year.

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The RAC has highlighted that none of the top 10 airports in the European Union charge for drivers dropping off passengers.

Mr Dennis continued, saying: “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?”

Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, said airports outside of the UK tend to be publicly owned and in receipt of state subsidies and tax exemptions.

In comparison, she noted that UK airports are generally privately owned and subject to commercial rates of taxation.

Ms Dee said airports around the UK offered a range of drop-off and parking options to suit the needs of drivers and passengers.