London City Airport will cease to allow free passenger drop-offs by car by the end of 2025, officials have confirmed to The Independent. The change of policy has been described as an important part of the airport’s “environmental conservation strategy” intended to help the airport reach decarbonisation goals, and will affect only 10% of departing flyers, the airport said in a statement.
All other major United Kingdom aviation hubs have already implemented charges for vehicle drop-offs and pick-ups. Now London City will follow suit, though unlike its counterparts, it will not offer a free shuttle from drop-off points further from the airport, due to a lack of space.
The cost of the charge is yet to be confirmed, but is likely to be in line with fees at other hubs. Gatwick Airport charges £7 (€7.94) for 10 minutes, and an extra £1 per minute after that. Luton, Southend, Stansted, and Stansted Airports all also charge £7. Heathrow Airport’s charge went up to £6 (€6.81) in January 2025 and is payable per entry online or by phone by midnight on the next day. There is no charge or a 100% discount for “Blue Badge holders” – a designation for people with additional mobility needs.
London City is the closest airport for more than half of Londoners, and the large majority (70%) of its passengers use public transport to travel to and from the hub, which is served by a bespoke stop on the capital’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The airport even helped to pay for the new DLR train fleet, contributing over £5 million (€5.7 million) towards it.
The airport told The Independent: “The charge will help London City meet its wider sustainability goals by reducing the number of vehicles travelling to and from the airport, supporting efforts to lower congestion, reduce emissions and improve air quality in the surrounding area.”
Meanwhile, automotive services company, the RAC (Royal Automobile Club), has criticised the advent of airport drop-off charges and says the UK compares badly to other European nations when it comes to offering free motor vehicle access and farewell zones.
Other critics have speculated that the charge will push commuting flyers and their families to attempt to park on streets near the airport, but a London City spokesperson told The Independent, “managing vehicle movements safely and efficiently is a key priority,” and added, “we’re working very closely with the London Borough of Newham to control illegal parking in the area.”
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