Gatwick faces a consumer backlash for increasing its passenger drop-off charge from £5 to £6.
The price rise from today (Friday) provoked an angry response after being announced on X, formerly Twitter.
Social media users attacked the decision as “shameful” and a “rip off”.
The airport said: “We believe that increasing the charge will help reduce congestion, allow us to reinvest in sustainable transport, and encourage more passengers and staff to use public transport to reach the airport.”
The increased forecourt drop-off fee for use of designated drop-off zones applies to all vehicles including electric cars.
Drivers can avoid the charge by dropping passengers off at long stay car parks which are served by shuttle buses to the terminals every 12 minutes.
But critics condemned the price rise and questioned how it would reduce congestion.
Limited early morning and late evening trains serving the airport meant driving is the only option, one pointed out.
The £5 drop-off charge was introduced in March 2021.