Airports across the UK have been increasing fees for passenger drop-offs, in an inflationary trend that critics have slammed as “price gouging” and “a national disgrace.”
The latest major hubs to raise their so-called “kiss and fly” charges are Aberdeen and Glasgow airports in Scotland, both managed by AGS Airports. Passenger vehicles can access the terminal for a quarter of an hour at a price of £7 (€8.40) (up from £6 at Glasgow, and from £5.50 at Aberdeen.
A spokesperson for the airports said: “We appreciate that this is not a popular decision; however, it is important the airport remains competitive and all money raised serves to strengthen our connectivity and help to attract new routes.”
Both airports offer complimentary long-stay pick-ups of up to an hour, less than a 10-minute walk from the terminal, AGS Airports explained: “It is important to keep in mind that there is always a free alternative where customers can park for up to one hour. This is located in our long-stay car park, and passengers can use a free, on-demand shuttle service to and from the terminal.
Our Long-stay car park offers up to one hour free parking. It’s just a six-minute walk from the terminal, with a free shuttle bus also available, making it ideal for drop-offs and pick-ups.
— Aberdeen Airport ✈️ (@ABZ_Airport) January 28, 2026
Find out more here: https://t.co/Km98PTcgIO pic.twitter.com/7FPxg2Axlu
“The pick-up and drop-off area is intended for short visits of up to 15 minutes only. We would encourage anyone who thinks they may be longer to use the free alternative or our short-stay car park. Valid Blue Badge holders continue to receive 30 minutes free in our Short-Stay Car Park.”
The drop-off fee is now similar to that in place at Leeds, Luton, Heathrow, and Stansted, which all charge £7 (€8.40) for 10 minutes. London City charges £8 (€9.60), while Bristol Airport now charges £8.50 (€10.20) to park for 10 minutes at its Drop Off & Pick Up car park next to the terminal, the same price as its Short Stay car park, a short walk away. London Gatwick has also increased its passenger drop-off fees, taking them to £10 (€12) for 10 minutes. Manchester airport drop-offs are £5 (€6) for a short, five-minute goodbye.
Airport charges for express drop-offs or “kiss-and-fly” zones are often framed as part of mobility measures at hubs, encouraging passengers to reduce their carbon footprint and congestion by using public transport options rather than bringing their car to the airport.
Terminal Drop-Off Charge applies to vehicles dropping off passengers on the terminal forecourts. Use short-stay parking for pick-up; free pick-up/drop-off remains available in Park & Ride car parks.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) February 2, 2026
No waiting/picking up is allowed in the drop-off area, and any unattended… pic.twitter.com/9YcgRRJfrz
But critics say public transport outside the capital is a less reliable way of reaching the airport and is possible for all travellers, a problem that prompted Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association to tell the BBC that airports were “pulling the easiest revenue lever” with the parking charge increases, noting that the increase at Aberdeen is 27%, “a sharp hike that hits passengers and businesses hard, with little connection to transport or operational needs.”
Wratten said the price increases are “part of a domino effect” with airports pushing to see how high they can raise the fees. He argued: “Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable – it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community.” The BTA is urging the adoption of a cap of “£3 per drop-off and a single daily charge, so passengers aren’t penalised twice, alongside a transparent approach to airport fees that protects both business and leisure travellers.”
I was outraged to hear of the proposed increases to drop-off parking charges at Glasgow Airport from £6 to £7.
— Douglas McAllister MP🌹 (@Labour_Douglas) February 5, 2026
I have written to the CEO of AGS Airports to note my objection to this excessive increase on behalf of my West Dunbartonshire constituents. pic.twitter.com/dr0cME9eya
The British fees are being compared unfavourably to those in continental Europe, where flyers can be dropped off for considerably lower fees. At Paris Charles de Gaulle, terminal access is free for the first 10 minutes in designated zones. (Although after 10 minutes, the cost goes up rapidly: 15 minutes cost €15, half an hour costs €20, and one hour costs €50). At Germany’s Frankfurt Airport, Kiss & Ride drop-offs are free for up to 10 minutes in areas in front of Terminals 1 and 2, with a limit of two free uses per day. If you exceed 10 minutes, fees start at €2.50 for 15 minutes, up to €15 for one hour. Italian airports are generous. Venice’s Marco Polo airport allows 20 minutes of free terminal parking, and Milan Malpensa allows free waiting for up to an hour.
