London City Airport has introduced a new £8 drop-off charge in 2026, joining 17 other UK airports that have increased their fees. The average cost of dropping someone off at a UK airport now stands at £7.66, up from £5.51 last year, according to research by Motorpoint.
London Airports Lead the Price Hikes
London Gatwick raised its drop-off fee by £4, making a 10-minute stop cost £10. Stansted also charges £10 for stays up to 15 minutes, a £3 increase. Heathrow increased its fee by £1 to £7, while Luton rose by £2 to £7. Southend now charges £8, up £1.
Ben Custard, a motoring journalist at Motorpoint, said: "Although airport drop-off zones tend to be convenient as they are right next to the terminal, I'd suggest checking airport websites, as many have a free drop-off area slightly further away. Depending on who you're dropping off and how much luggage they have, this could be a good option."
Regional Variations
In the South of England, Bournemouth Airport increased its fee by £3 to £8, while Southampton rose by £1 to £7. Norwich Airport in the East of England now charges £8, up £3. In the North, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford both increased by £1, to £6 and £8 respectively. Birmingham International rose by £1 to £7. Bristol Airport charges £8.50, up £1.50, and Exeter £6, up £1. In Scotland, Edinburgh increased by £2.50 to £8.50, Glasgow by £1 to £7, Aberdeen by £1.50 to £7, and Inverness by £0.10 to £3.90.
Airports that kept charges unchanged include Manchester, Liverpool, East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Cardiff, and Teesside. Cornwall Airport Newquay offers 10 minutes of free parking in a dedicated drop-off/pick-up area.
Impact on Travellers
Motorpoint's research found that 28% of travellers rely on friends or family for airport lifts, making this a popular option for early morning or late-night departures when public transport is limited. Custard warned drivers to avoid leaving passengers at petrol forecourts or hotel car parks, as some have been penalised for not using official drop-off facilities.
