Labour under pressure to tackle airport parking charges mayhem with new rules amid spiralling costs

Hemma Visavadia
Sat, 02 May 2026 05:00:01 +0000

Labour has been urged to step in and tackle soaring airport drop-off charges, as drivers across the UK face relentless price hikes.

It follows a growing petition which has demanded the Government review airport fees, which have spiralled out of control, placing an unfair burden on motorists.

Campaigners have asked the Government to grant the Civil Aviation Authority new powers to audit and cap charges, introduce a free 10-minute grace period, and stop airports from profiting from drop-off zones.

The petition, launched by Spiros Saragoudas, has already gathered more than 3,000 signatures, from drivers demanding change.

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If the petition reaches more than 10,000 signatures, it will trigger a response from the Government, but if it reaches 100,000, then it will be scheduled for debate in the House of Commons.

The push comes after fees continued to rise nationwide, with more than half of the UK's busiest airports increasing drop-off charges in the past year alone.

At Heathrow Airport, drivers now pay £7 just to access terminal drop-off zones. Similar charges are now common elsewhere, with airports in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh all raising prices in recent years.

Research showed that airports such as Gatwick, Bristol and Stansted now charge up to £7 for just 10 minutes, while others like Birmingham and Edinburgh have increased fees to around £6.

In some cases, the increases have been even steeper. Belfast City Airport has raised prices by a third, while Newcastle has also introduced notable hikes.

More recently, Stansted Airport pushed charges even higher, with drivers now paying £10 for a short stay, following a near 50 per cent increase.

Gatwick Airport has also raised fees to £10 for a 10-minute drop-off, making it one of the most expensive in the country.

Motoring groups have now warned that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for drivers, who are navigating huge costs this year.

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The petition detailed: "We are concerned that 'cost recovery' claims lack transparency and that the fees are a 'stealth tax' on the public, especially the elderly and disabled.

"The Government should ensure these fees are independently audited and capped to protect the public from monopoly pricing."

Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, explained that charging drivers £7 for a stop that could be no more than 10 minutes "does seem a little steep".

He also warned that constant increases are likely to fuel frustration among families and travellers trying to help loved ones get to the airport.

But industry body AirportsUK has defended the fees, arguing they help reduce congestion and emissions, and that free drop-off options are still available at most airports.

But campaigners remained unconvinced, warning that the lack of regulation allows airports to set charges with little oversight.

The petition argues that "cost recovery" claims are often unclear and calls for independent audits to ensure transparency.

Drivers have until September 17 to sign the petition.