Gatwick Airport has today become the most expensive airport in the UK for dropping off passengers, after bringing in a new £10 charge for drivers.
The fee allows motorists just 10 minutes outside the terminal before they must leave or face extra charges. It is a sharp rise from the £7 fee introduced in May last year, marking a 43 per cent increase.
Gatwick, which is Europe's busiest single-runway airport, first introduced drop-off charges in March 2021, when drivers were asked to pay £5, but this later rose to £6, then £7, and has now doubled to £10 in less than five years.
The move has sparked anger from passengers, drivers and travel industry figures, many of whom have branded the rise a "rip-off" and accused the airport of putting profit before the public.
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, strongly criticised the decision, saying: "This latest increase feels more like a cash grab than a necessity.
"Gatwick is now the most expensive airport in the UK for drop-offs, putting the cost squarely on passengers and businesses while doing little to tackle underlying issues around operating costs or sustainable transport."
Mr Wratten also highlighted how out of step British airports are with the rest of Europe. "Across Europe, airport drop-offs are largely free, yet this approach is increasingly becoming normal in the UK," he said.
He warned that other airports are following the same path, pointing to recent increases at Bristol Airport, with further rises planned at Heathrow and London City Airport.
The airport said the increase followed a rise in costs and business rates
|GETTY/PA
He called on the Government to step in and cap drop-off charges before they become standard across the country. The impact is already being felt by those who rely on airport drop-offs for their livelihoods.
Taxi driver Nadeem Mehmood told BBC Radio Sussex that the higher charge had been "very bad" for his trade. "We have lost lots of business because of this," he said. "It's too expensive."
Meanwhile, travel expert Andy Mossack described the rise as a blatant money-making move, adding: "Poor old passengers and drivers are getting another blow to the pocket. It is disgraceful."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The airport has now become the most expensive in the UK for car drop-offs
|PA
Podcast presenter Lisa Francesca Nand, who hosts The Big Travel Podcast, said many passengers simply do not have realistic alternatives. She explained that public transport is often unreliable or unaffordable, especially for early morning flights.
"Trains are expensive and often don't run early enough to catch morning departures," she said. "It's the principle. That's what people object to."
Critics argued the charges hit families, the elderly and those travelling with luggage the hardest, while doing little to improve congestion or emissions.
Gatwick Airport has defended its decision, saying the charge is designed to reduce traffic congestion, encourage the use of public transport, and support investment in airport infrastructure.
Gatwick has increased itsdrop-off charge from £7 to £10
| GETTYA spokesperson shared: "This increase in the drop-off charge is not a decision we have taken lightly; however, we are facing a number of increasing costs, including a more than doubling of our business rates.
"Passengers can still be dropped off for free in our long-stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge.
"The increase will encourage greater use of public transport and help to fund a number of sustainable transport initiatives."