Stansted raises express drop-off fee to £10

Stansted airport’s charges for its Express Set Down area will increase to £10 for stays up to 15 minutes, up from £7.

The new price comes into force on Thursday (March 19), with the fee rising to £28 for stays longer than 15 minutes.

Free drop-offs remain available in the airport’s Mid Stay Car Park, and the long-established local residents’ discount scheme remains in place. 

Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel said: “Stansted is the latest airport to increase drop off charges in a fresh blow to travellers, just in time for the Easter holidays. 

“These rising fees, combined with strict time limits, will only pile on more stress, frustration and expense for passengers during an already uncertain time for travel.

“Fortunately, there are alternative long stay car parks where you can drop off free of charge at all major UK airports.”

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, added: “The continual rise in airport drop-off fees is increasingly looking like a revenue grab, a domino effect where airports shamelessly copy their neighbours’ rise in cost just because they know they can get away with it.

“These charges don’t just hit the wallet, they penalise business travellers with no early-morning transport options, families with luggage who must travel by car, and the taxi industry.

“The BTA’s proposal for a £3 price cap and a 50% EV discount is a common-sense middle ground. We need to keep travel accessible, not just profitable for airports.”