How much it costs to drop someone off at our local airports

Check this out before your summer holiday.

Today, the RAC has released a report stating that 11 UK airports have increased their prices for drivers dropping off family and friends since last year.

However, that is not the case at local East Midlands Airport, where the drop off charge has not been increased in recent years, remaining at £5 for up to 15 minutes.

The airport introduced a new payment system in May. It is now a cashless payment system using number plate recognition cameras, which means customers have up to midnight the next day to pay online or over the phone.

There is also a free option where customers can park in a medium stay car park for up to an hour and use a free shuttle bus or walk for around 10 minutes to get to and from the terminal.

At Birmingham Airport, the current fee for 0 to 15 minutes in the Premium Set Down area (directly outside the Terminal) is £6.

This is an increase of £1 on last year.

There are free drop-offs for stays of up to 10 minutes in the drop-off car park.

Karen Dee, chief executive of trade body AirportsUK, said: “All airports offer a free drop-off facility. They also have a wide variety of options to suit all passengers’ needs, including premium drop-off in front of the terminal building for those who wish to use that.

“Where fees are charged, this helps airports manage and reduce congestion, noise, carbon emissions and air pollution for local communities, something that they are mandated to do by the Government and local authorities.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “The sky really does seem to be the limit when it comes to the amount drivers get charged for making the briefest of stops to let friends or loved ones out to catch a flight. The seemingly annual ritual of many airports hiking the cost of drop-offs is unfortunately continuing unabated. 

“Airports understandably need to manage the often-limited on-site space they have. We also know some still offer short stay free parking, but the problem is it’s often well away from the terminal. If a driver wants to help a passenger with mobility issues or a lot of bags get to the terminal, they’ll often end up overstaying the ‘free’ period offered and getting charged.

“Drivers also need to be aware of the growing trend of airports dispensing with on-site payment in favour of introducing barrierless drop-offs that require payment online or by phone later. This is another source of frustration for people who in many cases are just trying to help a family member or friend get to the airport. Anyone who doesn’t notice the change or simply forgets to pay will inevitably be stung with a very unwelcome parking charge notice. 

“The main reason drivers drop off at airports, according to our research, is to help people with bulky and often heavy luggage. This is understandable when the alternative to the car is often either a conventional bus, which can be impractical with lots of cases, or a costly taxi – with fares for the latter subject to the same drop-off fees that drivers need to pay.