Government announces review of airport drop-off charges after sharp rises
The government has announced a review of airport drop-off charges after sharp rises, with the Competition and Markets Authority also asked to investigate whether fees are unfair.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The government has announced it will review airport drop-off charges after sharp rises in recent years. The move follows pressure from campaigners and comes as the Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to investigate whether the fees are unfair.
A recent study found that drop-off fees have risen by a third since last summer, to an average of £7 for a short stay. The increases vary by airport:
- Gatwick and Stansted now charge £10 for the shortest drop-off, up from £7 a year earlier.
- Bristol and Edinburgh charge £8.50.
- Bournemouth, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and London City charge £8.
- Aberdeen, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Heathrow, Luton and Southampton charge £7.
- Manchester charges £5.50.
- Belfast International charges £5.
Every one of the top 20 UK airports now charges for drop-offs. By contrast, most major international airports and the top 10 EU airports do not charge.
The Business Travel Association, which asked the CMA to investigate, says the fees have accelerated quickly and nothing has stopped them. It has proposed a charter that would cap charges at £3, with half price for electric vehicles and a single daily payment for taxis and chauffeurs. It estimates that UK airports make around £300 million a year from drop-off fees, a figure it calls conservative. The UK's busiest airports did not respond when asked how much revenue they make from the charges.
Airports defend the fees. Manchester Airport says its charges are lower than any comparably sized UK airport and that there is a free option using a shuttle bus to the terminal. It says the charges for its drop-off areas are the simplest and most effective way to control traffic flow. Airports UK has said the fees are part of the airport business model, help support a wide variety of flights, and are needed to manage congestion, traffic and air quality and meet climate change objectives.
There are also concerns about payment and penalties. Some systems are barrierless, meaning drivers must pay by midnight the next day. Failure to pay can lead to a £100 fine.
Travellers around Liverpool John Lennon Airport expressed frustration. The airport increased its fees in September and declined to allow interviews on site. Reporters found an unofficial free drop-off spot nearby, where drivers complained about being ripped off and said other airports offer 15 minutes free. The Department for Transport says it is vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly. The government has also been asked to address drop-off charges in its new civil aviation bill.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Reported by all 2 channels | ||
| Airport drop-off fees face a government review and a Competition and Markets Authority investigation. | Reported by Sky News | |
| Airport drop-off fees have risen by about a third since last summer, reaching an average of £7 for a short stay. | ||
| The Competition and Markets Authority was asked to investigate airport drop-off fees. | ||
| Only on one channel | ||
| All top 20 UK airports now charge drop-off fees, while major international airports and the top ten EU airports do not. | Not reported by BBC One | |
| The Department for Transport said accessible travel and fair treatment of passengers are important. | Not reported by Sky News | |
| UK airports make an estimated £300 million from drop-off fees. | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by Sky News |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News led on the consumer watchdog angle, reporting that the CMA has been asked to investigate after fees rose by a third to an average of £7. It gave a detailed airport-by-airport price list, aired driver frustration and put airport and industry defences to viewers. Its rolling bulletins repeated the same correspondent package, with limited focus on the government's own review beyond noting the issue may go into the civil aviation bill.
- “Every single one of the top 20 UK airports now charge a fee for drop-offs.”
- “Since last summer the average drop-off charge has soared at most of the UK's biggest airports.”
- “we've put out a charter that we think is fair that puts the cap at three pounds”
BBC ONE West led on the government's announcement of a review, framing the issue around fairness and accessibility. It gave specific year-on-year increases at Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh and Bournemouth, and included the Airports UK line on congestion and local pollution. Its report was brief and did not carry the CMA investigation or the £300 million revenue estimate.
- “The government has announced it will review airport drop-off charges”
- “the Department for Transport says it is vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly”
- “Airports UK has previously said the fees are necessary to manage congestion and the traffic and air pollution concerns of local communities”
Broadcast Timeline
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