Airport drop-off charges in the UK are rising. The government announces a review of the rules

Dropping a loved one off at an airport in the UK increasingly means an extra expense. An analysis by the motoring organisation RAC, cited by the Polish Express website, shows that in the 12 months to summer 2026, as many as 16 of the country's 20 largest airports raised their "kiss and fly" charges, meaning a quick stop outside the terminal. All 20 airports covered by the analysis now charge such fees, as London City recently joined them.

How much it costs

The average charge for a short stay at the largest airports rose by about a third over the year and is now £7, which is £1.7 more than a year earlier.

The highest one-off charges apply at Gatwick and Stansted, where the minimum is £10. At Luton the charge is £9 for 12 minutes, after which £1 is added for each further minute. In Edinburgh and Bristol you will pay £8.50, and at Leeds Bradford, London City and Bournemouth – £8.

Calculated per minute, London City Airport is the most expensive: £1.6 per minute. Next are Manchester (£1.1 per minute) and Gatwick (£1 per minute). The source notes that per-minute rates and one-off charges cannot always be compared directly, because everything depends on the rules of the particular zone. At £1.6 per minute, five minutes costs £8 and ten minutes costs £16.

Complicated rules

At Stansted, the "Express Set Down" option costs £10 and gives 15 minutes, and payment is only possible online, by midnight on the same day. However, if a driver enters the "pick up – drop-off" car park, they will pay £13 for 30 minutes, and £28 once that time is exceeded. Polish Express describes a reader who confused the two options and paid more than she had expected.

Government review

In October 2026 the government announced a review of short-stay charges. It is to look at, among other things, whether prices remain affordable and how airports use this income. A Department for Transport representative urged airports to show restraint in raising prices, especially where travelling by public transport is limited. No specific changes to price lists have been announced so far.

Earlier, on 13 January 2026, the subject was debated in the House of Commons. The government's position, quoted in the Hansard record, was that airport parking charges are a commercial matter for the operator, but the department expects consumers to be treated fairly.

Arguments for and against

According to a survey cited by the RAC, four in five drivers consider these charges unjustified, and only one in ten understands why they are charged. Rod Dennis of the RAC said the review could be good news for drivers.

Airports UK, which represents airports, reminds us through its chief executive Karen Dee that airports outside the UK are often publicly owned and benefit from subsidies or tax relief, while British ones are usually private. According to data in the article, none of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union charges for the drop-off alone.

What this means for you

The charges affect anyone who takes family or friends to the airport, including before holidays or trips to Poland. Before you travel, it is worth checking the airport's website for the current price list and payment method, as rules differ between airports, and in some zones you have to pay online by a set deadline. No changes have been announced so far, so the current charges apply.