Airport drop-off charges see record increases

David Ross, Editor
Thu, 20 Jul 2023

Drivers taking friends and relatives to airports should brace themselves for record terminal drop-off prices this summer, according to new research by the RAC.

The study reveals that seven out of the UK's 21 busiest airports have increased their drop-off fees, with one airport introducing charges for the first time.

Southampton Airport has witnessed the biggest increase, raising its drop-off fee to £6 for 20 minutes, up from £4 for the same time duration in 2022. Belfast International has also significantly raised its charge, now requiring £3 for 10 minutes, a £2 increase from the previous year.

Other airports that have hiked their drop-off fees include Glasgow Airport, charging £5 for 15 minutes (up from £4 for 15 minutes in 2022), and Aberdeen, which now requires £5 for 15 minutes, compared to £4 for 10 minutes in 2022.

Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon, and Birmingham airports have also increased their charges. Meanwhile, Belfast City Airport has introduced a new charge of £3 for 10 minutes, having previously not charged for drop-offs.

Although London Stansted Airport has not increased its fee this year, it still holds the highest initial charge for drop-offs at £7 for 15 minutes.

However, there is some relief for travelers as six of the busiest UK airports have frozen their drop-off charges since last summer. These airports include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, London Luton, and Edinburgh.

Thankfully, three airports still offer a free drop-off option at the terminal forecourt - Cardiff, London City, and Inverness airports.

RAC's head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, expressed concern about the annual increase in airport drop-off fees. He pointed out that for many travellers, being dropped off by car is the only reliable way to make their flight on time due to persistent industrial action on the rail network.

"Having tracked airport drop-off fees since 2016, we can see putting up charges has now become something of an annual ritual," says Lyes.

"Doing your research ahead of travelling has never been more important. Many airports offer a free or reduced-rate drop-off area away from the terminal in long-stay car parks where travellers can hop on a shuttle bus connection, saving their driver incurring more expensive charges nearer the departures building."

Ask HJ

Should we pay a fine from a private parking company?

My partner has received a parking charge from a private firm. This car park was free, but must now be owned by a private company. He took someone there to do some driving lessons. They did not park or use a space and the boy driving was just learning how to use gears. The car had L plates on and a learners top hat. As my partner was not driving and didn't actually park does he still have to pay this fine?

As you say the charge occurred on private land, you can appeal. Firstly you need to check if the company operating the car park is a member of a trade body, either the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community. If this is the case, you should start by appealing the charge with the company who issued the ticket first. Write to them, giving them the ticket number, your registration number, the date the ticket was issued and explain why you think the charge is not applicable. Include any evidence you have available to evidence this, such as dashcam footage if you have it. You do not need to explain who the driver was, just that you are the owner of the vehicle. If this is not successful you can then appeal to the relevant trade body using the same process. If the company is not part of a trade body, you need to write to the company in the same way and explain that you will not be paying the charge. Again, do not say who the driver was, only that you are the registered keeper, because this means you can deny responsibility for being the driver at the time and cannot be pursued for the charge. Remember to include all the available evidence you have and explain why you think the charge is unfair and will not be paid. The crucial point to remember is that because this occurred on private land, it is not technically a 'parking ticket' but an invoice. These companies do not have a right to fine you, only to send you an invoice based on what they see as a breach of contract. You can also complain to the owner of the land if you are not successful.

Answered by David Ross

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