15/10/2026
About time the government looked into airport drop-off charges, because they’re getting ridiculous!
✈️ Birmingham – £8
✈️ Heathrow – £7
✈️ Gatwick – £10
✈️ East Midlands – £8
✈️ Luton – £9
✈️ Stansted – £10
That’s what some of our major airports are charging just to drop someone off near the terminal, and these fees keep going up.
According to the RAC, 16 of the UK’s 20 busiest airports increased their drop-off charges between summer 2025 and summer 2026, with the average rising by a third to £7. Four in five drivers surveyed believe these charges are a rip-off. The government has finally announced a review into the issue.
Airports argue these charges help manage congestion and fund their operations, but surely there needs to be some accountability over how much they charge and where that money goes.
And what about taxi drivers? We’re expected to pay these charges every time we take a fare to the airport. It’s an unavoidable business expense, and we have no choice but to pass that cost on to our passengers.
Taxi fares are already increasing because of ridiculous fuel prices and the ever-rising costs of running a business. Insurance, maintenance, repairs and pretty much everything else seem to be going up on a regular basis. Now airports are adding even more costs, simply for allowing us to drop our passengers near the terminal.
Taxi drivers shouldn’t be expected to absorb these ever-increasing costs, and passengers shouldn’t have to keep paying more for the same service. We’re all feeling the squeeze, and these charges only make things worse for everyone.
Let’s hope the government’s review actually leads to meaningful action rather than just another report that gets ignored. It’s time someone stood up for drivers, passengers and ordinary families.
Today: A government announcement about airport drop-off fees and our monthly interview with a top chef about their money-saving hacks. Plus, stick with us for all the day's personal finance and consumer news.
