Travellers face record terminal drop-off prices this summer with seven out of 21 UK airports raising fees and one introducing them, according to new RAC research.
The biggest jumps are at Southampton airport, which has increased its drop-off fees to from £4 last year to £6 for 20 minutes, and Belfast International, which has put the charge up by £2 to £3 for 10 minutes.
Drivers dropping off at Glasgow airport pay £5 for 15 minutes – up from £4 in 2022 – while the initial rate at Aberdeen has risen to £5 for 15 minutes from £4 for 10 minutes last year.
The charge at Leeds Bradford has also gone up by £1 to £6 for 10 minutes; Liverpool John Lennon from £4 to £5 for 10 minutes and Birmingham from £3 to £4 for 15 minutes.
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Belfast City has now introduced a charge of £3 for 10 minutes, having previously not charged for dropping off.
Stansted continues to top the drop-off charges table with an initial charge of £7 for 15 minutes, despite not increasing its fee this year, the study by the motoring organisation found.
However, six of the busiest UK airports are among the 13 that have frozen drop-off charges since last summer.
Alongside Stansted holding its prices are Heathrow and Gatwick which both charge £5; Manchester is £5 for five minutes; Luton is £5 for 10 minutes and Edinburgh £4 for 10 minutes.
Cardiff, London City and Inverness airports all have a free option at the terminal forecourt.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Having tracked airport drop-off fees since 2016, we can see putting up charges has now become something of an annual ritual.
“This year is no different with seven out of 21 increasing their fees and one introducing them for the first time. Drivers should brace themselves for jaw-dropping prices when they drop their loved-ones off at the terminal.
“Thankfully the proportion of airports hiking fees this year is lower than last year, but that will be little consolation as charges across the board have never been so high.
“What’s perhaps more frustrating is that many travellers will call on their friends or family to take them to the airport because of persistent industrial action on the rail network meaning that for many, being dropped off at the airport by car is the only reliable way to make their flight on time.”
He added: “Drivers tempted to drop loved-ones on the roads inside the boundaries of the airport should beware as many enforce no-stopping areas with cameras could lead to hefty penalty charges.”
Which? Travel deputy editor Jo Rhodes said: “These latest figures come as a stark reminder that holiday budgets are being stretched at every turn, with higher hotel and flight prices already making a getaway unaffordable for many.
“If you are getting a lift, consider being dropped off slightly further away – many airports will have areas that are free or cheaper in price, though you’ll need to allow extra time to walk or take a shuttle to the terminal. Always make sure to pay any drop-off fees as soon as possible, as many airports will levy late fines if you forget.”
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