Gatwick Airport To Raise Drop-Off Fees To UK Highest

Gatwick Airport has announced a £3 increase to its terminal drop-off charges, meaning drivers will soon pay a minimum of £10 to stop outside the terminal for up to 10 minutes.

The new price comes into effect on 6 January, making the West Sussex airport the most expensive in the UK for passenger drop-offs.

Gatwick said the decision was driven by rising costs, including what it described as a more-than-doubling of its business rates.

A spokesperson said the increase was “not a decision we have taken lightly” and that the airport was unable to absorb the additional financial pressures.

Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, criticised the rise, saying:

“The words ‘Happy New Year’ are unlikely to be uttered by drivers dropping off friends and family at Gatwick in January.

"A more than 40% increase in the cost to drop off is the largest we’ve ever seen and represents a doubling of the fee since it was introduced.”

Gatwick first brought in a £5 drop-off fee in March 2021.

It rose to £6 earlier this year, then £7 in May, before the latest jump to £10.

The airport stressed that passengers can still be dropped off for free in its long-stay car parks, where a shuttle bus runs to the terminals.

It also highlighted Gatwick’s strong public transport connections, with direct links to more than 120 train stations and 24/7 bus services.

Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge.

The airport said the increased fee would also support “sustainable transport” efforts, including a £1m investment in new and improved Metrobus routes in 2025, and aims to reduce car congestion at terminal entrances.

Heathrow will also raise its drop-off fee on 1 January from £6 to £7, though Gatwick’s charge will remain the highest in the country.

Drivers pay nothing to drop off passengers at London City and Inverness airports.