Drop-off fees at the UK's major airports have risen by about a third on average since last summer, according to new analysis by the RAC motoring group. The study looked at the cost of pulling up at the closest point to the terminal across the twenty busiest airports, and found sixteen had increased their fees over the past year.

Two London airports topped the price table at £10. London Gatwick charges £10 for ten minutes on the forecourt outside either terminal — the highest "farewell fee" — while Stansted offers a more generous fifteen minutes for the same £10 at its "Express Set Down." London City, which only introduced charges this year, is the most expensive per minute: its £8 for five minutes works out at £1.60 a minute.

By contrast, none of the top ten airports in the EU charge for drop-offs, the RAC found. The motoring group acknowledged UK airports generally offer free alternatives further from the terminal, sometimes with shuttle buses, but senior policy officer Rod Dennis said "having a captive audience should be no excuse for these 'farewell fees'."

Trade body Airports UK said free drop-offs existed and that fees were part of airports' business models and climate objectives, aimed at discouraging "kiss and fly" car trips. Gatwick's pricing comes as it pushes more passengers toward rail and bus; when the Transport Secretary approved its second runway, one condition was that 54% of passengers arrive by public transport. Heathrow may face similar pressure for a third runway.

Drivers should watch barrierless "park now, pay later" zones especially closely, Dennis warned, since failing to pay online or by phone within a set window can trigger a parking charge notice. For travellers, the lesson is unglamorous but cheap: check the charge before you arrive, and use the free option if one exists.

The trend shows little sign of reversing. As airports face their own net-zero commitments and pressure to cut car trips, kerbside charging is a rare revenue stream that also serves a policy goal. Passengers who once pulled up free of charge are now a captured market, and the RAC's data suggests the EU's free-drop-off norm is the exception that proves the rule. Travellers would be wise to budget the fee as a fixed cost of flying, and to read the small print on barrierless zones before leaving the forecourt.

For travellers, the lesson is unglamorous but cheap: check the charge before you arrive, and use the free option if one exists.