‘Rip-off’ fees for airport drop-offs set to be reviewed

A review is to be launched into “rip-off” drop-off charges at airports after a government U-turn. Keir Mather, the aviation minister, has committed to a 12-month review that will examine issues such as affordability, how the fees affect passenger behaviour and what airports are doing with the revenue, which is estimated to be £300m a year for British airports. Most commented 1 Three in ten of super-rich consider leaving Britain over tax fears Companies & Markets 599 comments 2 Pope Leo walking and eating after lung cancer operation Europe 299 comments 3 Scaling up: the best British fish to eat sustainably revealed Environment 102 comments 4 New dinosaur related to T rex emerges from drawer after 100 years Science 67 comments 5 Sculpted stags in the garden — and other news in pictures Photography 122 comments Of the 20 busiest airports in Britain, 16 have put their prices up since last summer. The average charge has climbed by £1.70 to £7. Keir Mather, the aviation minister Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Heathrow, the country’s busiest airport, charges £7 for 10 minutes and Gatwick costs £10 for the same time. Bristol, a regional airport, make drivers pay £8.50. Top stories 1 Pope Leo walking and eating after lung cancer operation Europe 2 Shopkeeper in Kelly Clarkson row ‘fears for safety’ as CCTV released US news 3 Why corporate America is anxious about the midterms Companies & Markets 4 New US inflation hotter than expected as Iran war stokes fuel costs Economics 5 New Andy Burnham met Manchester City leaders four times as mayor Politics The government has urged airports to “exercise restraint” on price rises while the issue is under review. Advertisement In July the government had instructed Labour lords to vote against amending a bill on aviation to include a review into the charges. Richard Holden, shadow transport secretary, said: “This is yet another shameless U-turn by Labour. After whipping parliamentarians to oppose a review of airport drop-off charges in July and just days after Conservatives announced a review of them at our conference, Labour has capitulated.” Top stories 1 Budget 2026 predictions: when is it and what could be announced? Economics 2 Forget the property ladder, there’s a new route to wealth Saving & Investing At their conference last week the Tories vowed that should they win power they would ask regulators to look at the pace of rising fees, what the money is being used for and if any environmental policies are contributing to higher prices. If it was found that any regulations were incentivising fee increases, then they would be scrapped, and airports charging high fees without reason would be named and shamed. Travel newsletter Your weekly round-up of the best travel inspiration, guides, hotel reviews and advice from our experts. Sign up with one click You’ve successfully signed up to the Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the fees. “The review must take a serious look at affordability, accessibility and fairness, and lead to meaningful change rather than simply give airports the opportunity to justify the charges they already impose,” he said. “The contrast with Europe is stark. All of the UK’s top 20 airports charge for drop-off, while the top ten EU airports do not. That raises serious questions about why UK travellers face these fees and whether the current approach is fair.” The drop-off area at London Stansted Alamy The Department for Transport said: “The aviation minister has just this week committed to launching 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.” Advertisement Karen Dee, chief executive of the trade body AirportsUK, 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, benefiting passengers. “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.“