Drop-off charges have elevated at two-thirds of the UK’s main airports since 2019, in accordance with analysis.
An RAC investigation discovered 16 of the 22 airports analysed have launched or raised prices for dropping off passengers previously three years.
The motoring providers firm claimed drivers might be “stunned” by among the “sky-high” charges.
Stansted Airport is the costliest for so-called “kiss-and-fly” prices, that are usually levied for dropping off somebody as near the terminal as doable.
Its preliminary payment is £7 for as much as quarter-hour – a rise from £4 for 10 minutes in 2019, earlier than the COVID pandemic.
A Stansted spokesman stated the cost “makes an important contribution to encouraging alternative, more sustainable transport options” and reduces congestion.
It is one in every of many airports that supply free choices for dropping passengers off in mid or long-stay automotive parks linked to terminals by buses.
Eight airports cost £5 for dropping off passengers. They embrace the UK’s two busiest airports: Heathrow and Gatwick, which launched the cost final yr.
RAC head of roads coverage, Nicholas Lyes, stated restricted public transport choices for some airports and considerations about prepare strikes imply many passengers are asking a pal or relative to offer them a carry.
He added: “Anyone dropping a loved one off at the terminal this summer will be stunned by some of these sky-high, kiss-and-drop charges.
“Minute for minute and pound for pound, a few of these prices may nearly be as excessive because the airfare itself.”
He said it appears many airports have increased fees to “partially make up” for lost revenue during the pandemic.
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Manchester Airport gives drivers just five minutes to drop off travellers for £5 (up from £3 in 2019), while Liverpool John Lennon Airport has raised its fees from £3 for 20 minutes to £4 for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Bristol Airport has hiked its initial fee for 10 minutes from £1 to £5.
In Scotland, dropping off passengers at the three largest airports is not much cheaper.
Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow Airports have all doubled their fees in the past three years to £4 for 10 minutes.
Birmingham and Belfast International have kept their fees the same since 2019 (£3 for 15 minutes and £1 for 10 minutes respectively), while drivers can take still advantage of free drop-off areas near terminal entrances at Cardiff, London City and Belfast City.
Mr Lyes has advised drivers to research charges before heading to airports, and warned them to be aware that many sites use cameras to enforce bans on stopping in certain areas.
A spokesman for industry body the Airport Operators Association said airports provide clear information about parking and drop-off charges to ensure travellers are “well-informed on the vary of choices to swimsuit their wants”.
He added: “Airports that function drop-off prices instantly exterior the terminal achieve this for quite a few totally different causes, together with to handle congestion in capacity-restricted areas and to restrict the environmental and air high quality impacts of ‘kiss and fly’ journeys.”
Source: information.sky.com”