Gatwick Airport reveals new drop-off charge cost as travellers fume over 'rip-off'

A spokesman for the airport said: “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.”

A drop-off fee of £5 was introduced at Gatwick in March 2021, rising to £6 in 2024.

Prices were then raised to £7 earlier this year.

On X, travel journalist Simon Calder noted that the price of a flight to Krakow is only £14 on the same day.

One user responding to the post said: “Absolute disgrace. We are being ripped off as usual.”

Another response said: “It’s £3 at Cardiff Airport, which I already thought was a rip-off, but then I went to Bristol Airport the other week and that was £7.”

“Pure greed, these fees should be outlawed,” a user added.

A further comment said: “A ‘drop-off charge’ is a payment for what service or good exactly? It's akin to a ‘breathing charge’ for sharing air in the vicinity.”

Gatwick’s spokesman said: “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."

They cited the airport’s investment of £1m into new Metrobus routes in 2025 as an example of its commitment to new transport projects.

The spokesman added that the airport has “excellent public transport connectivity,” linking to more than a hundred train stations and many 24/7 local bus routes.

Heathrow currently has a £6 charge, which will be raised to £7 starting in 2026, with a 10-minute maximum in place.

London City remains the only major London airport without a drop-off fee, but plans to introduce one before the end of the year.

Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, said: “The words ‘Happy New Year’ are unlikely to be uttered by drivers dropping off friends and family at Gatwick in January.”

He added: “A more than 40 per cent increase in the cost to drop off is the largest we've ever seen and represents a doubling of the fee since it first came in.”

According to RAC research, only one of Europe’s major airports, Schiphol in Amsterdam, has a drop-off fee.

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