Airport drop-off charges to be reviewed after Labour ‘about-turn’

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Subscribe now Log in Login icon Follow us on: More from The Telegraph Samuel Montgomery News Reporter. Gareth Corfield Transport Correspondent Published 14 October 2026 10:32pm BST Save This feature is available for registered users. Please register or log in to continue RegisterLog in Comment speech bubble icon 53 Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link

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Add us as preferred source !Drop-off zone at Stansted airport The average charge for drop-off fees at 16 of Britain’s 20 busiest airports has risen by £1.70 to £7 since last summer Credit: Chris Pancewicz/Alamy Samuel Montgomery News Reporter. Gareth Corfield Transport Correspondent Published 14 October 2026 10:32pm BST “Rip-off” airport drop-off charges will be reviewed, the Government has announced. Keir Mather, the aviation minister, has launched a 12-month investigation into the affordability of surging “kiss and fly” prices, their influence on passenger behaviour and the extent to which they encourage the use of public transport. The review, which the Conservatives have described as a “U-turn”, will also consider how the estimated £300m in annual revenue from drop-off charges is being spent by British airports. Drop-off fees at 16 of Britain’s 20 busiest airports have risen since last summer, with the average charge climbing by £1.70 to £7. Gatwick and Stansted have increased their prices for a 10-minute stay from £7 to £10, while Edinburgh airport has raised its charge by £2.50 to £8.50 for the same timeframe. In July, the Government whipped its peers into voting against an amendment which called for a formal review of the charges to be included in an aviation bill. !Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary Richard Holden described the Government’s decision to review pricing as ‘another shameless U-turn by Labour’ Credit: Eddie Mulholland Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said the decision to back a review showed Labour had “capitulated” under pressure. “This is yet another shameless U-turn by Labour,” he told The Times, adding: “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.” At their party conference in Birmingham last week, the Conservatives announced that if they won power they would launch a six-month review of drop-off charges to investigate the impact of environmental policies, transport targets and commercial incentives on prices. The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed it had committed to a review, adding that it was “vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly”. The Government has called on airports to “exercise restraint on rises” while the issue is under review. Charges branded a ‘rip-off’ The RAC, which conducted the price analysis in July and has campaigned against the pace of rising fees, welcomed the decision. “This will be music to the ears of drivers, as we know airport drop-off charges are a growing source of anger and frustration,” said Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, adding that he was “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,” he said. The RAC’s research found London City Airport’s £8 fee for five minutes to be the highest rate per minute. “Such ‘farewell fees’ are at direct odds with most other major overseas airports, where drivers can drop passengers off close to terminals free of charge,” Mr Dennis added. The RAC has said that none of the top 10 airports in the EU charge for drop-offs. Recommended The worst UK airports for drop-off fees – and the six that don't charge drivers at all Read more Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association (BTA), said he welcomed the announcement after campaigning for the fees to be investigated. He said: “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. “[Charging] up to £10 for a few minutes at the kerb is a lot to ask of travellers, particularly when public transport is not always a practical alternative.” The BTA has been calling for a £3 cap, charges only at peak times, a 50 per cent discount for electric vehicles and a limit of one charge per day. Mr Wratten added: “Airports should be expected to explain how much they are making from these fees, how the money is being used and whether the charges are proportionate. Encouraging people to use public transport is one thing, but passengers must have a realistic alternative. “The contrast with Europe is stark. All of the UK’s top 20 airports charge for drop-off, while the top 10 EU airports do not. That raises serious questions about why UK travellers face these fees and whether the current approach is fair.” A spokesman for the DfT 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.” Join the conversation Show 53 comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link

The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics Airport, Stansted Airport, London City Airport, Net Zero, Department for Transport, Aviation

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