Government to review airport drop-off charges after sharp rises
The review will examine fees that have increased at many major UK airports, but no cap has been announced.
The government will review airport drop-off charges after fees rose sharply at many of the UK’s busiest airports. The review will examine their impact on passengers, although ministers have not announced a cap or immediate price reductions.
The RAC confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, which has campaigned for greater scrutiny of airport drop-off fees. The organisation said its latest analysis found that 16 of the 20 busiest UK airports had increased charges since last summer, with the average fee rising by a third to £7.
The figures are the RAC’s analysis rather than official government statistics. Charges vary widely between airports and may cover different periods or lengths of stay, making direct comparisons difficult. Some airports also provide free or cheaper alternatives away from the terminal.
A review requirement was added to the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill during its passage through the House of Lords. The published parliamentary text says the Secretary of State must examine the impact of airport drop-off charges on users and lay the findings before both Houses of Parliament within six months of the Act being passed.
The review is not the same as regulating or capping fees. The bill text sets out a duty to conduct and publish an assessment, but does not specify a maximum charge or require airports to offer a free terminal option. The government’s formal terms of reference and timetable had not been published by Wednesday evening.
Parliamentary research has noted that drop-off arrangements can be particularly important for disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility. A Scottish Parliament paper said the review would need to consider accessibility, affordability, connectivity and the reasons airports impose charges, although the final scope remains for ministers to set.
The issue has exposed a dispute over the purpose of the fees. Airports argue that charges can help manage congestion, noise and pollution and support investment in airport infrastructure. The RAC says they are an increasing burden on drivers and points to major overseas airports where passengers can often be dropped off close to terminals without a charge.
The Department for Transport said in a June parliamentary answer that it had no plans to regulate airport parking or drop-off charges, which it regarded as commercial decisions for airport operators. Wednesday’s announcement represents a move towards formal scrutiny, but passengers should not expect an immediate change to the fees they face.
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The central announcement and the legal scope of the review are supported by current RAC and parliamentary sources. Background figures are clearly attributed to the RAC, while the absence of a cap is consistent with the published review provision.
- confirmed The government announced a review of airport drop-off charges on 14 October 2026. — The RAC published a same-day response referring to the government announcement. source
- confirmed The RAC found that 16 of the 20 busiest UK airports had increased their fees and that the average rose by a third to £7. — These figures are stated in the RAC’s own analysis and are attributed as such. source
- confirmed The parliamentary text requires a review of the impact of airport drop-off charges on users. — Clause 7 of the published bill text sets out that duty. source
- confirmed The review provision does not itself impose a cap on charges. — Clause 7 requires a review and publication of findings but contains no cap or mandatory reduction. source
- confirmed Parliamentary research identifies accessibility as relevant to airport drop-off arrangements. — The House of Commons Library cites the particular importance of drop-off arrangements for disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility. source
- confirmed The government previously said it had no plans to regulate airport drop-off charges. — The Department for Transport gave that position in a June 2026 written answer. source
Editor's note
The review announcement is confirmed by the RAC and supported by the published parliamentary measure. Exact terms, timing and any eventual policy response were not available; the fee comparison is RAC analysis, not official statistics.Sources
- Airport drop-off fees review announced - RAC reaction — RAC
- Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill 2026-27 — UK Parliament
- Potential merits of regulating airport drop-off charges — House of Commons Library
- Airports: Fees and Charges, written question 34459 — UK Parliament
- Airports: Fees and Charges, written question 9785 — UK Parliament
More on this in other media
- The Independent — „airport charges”
- BBC News — „airport charges”
- The Guardian — „airport charges”