Gatwick Airport is set to increase its passenger drop-off fees from 2 May, a move that could make it the most expensive airport in London for drivers.
The decision is linked to the airport’s plan to gain approval for permanent use of its northern runway.
Currently, drivers pay £6 for 10 minutes at Gatwick’s drop-off zone, with each additional minute costing £1 up to 20 minutes.
The daily maximum charge is capped at £26, with a stay limit of 30 minutes. From 2 May, the base charge will rise to £7.
The increase comes as Gatwick faces pressure from the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to boost the percentage of passengers arriving by public transport to at least 54%. Without meeting this condition, the airport’s expansion plans will not receive final approval.
Gatwick’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, told The Telegraph that raising drop-off charges is intended to encourage more people to take trains instead of cars. The airport, the UK’s second busiest, hopes this will help it meet sustainability goals and reduce road congestion.
However, the price hike has been met with strong criticism. Many passengers have called the charge “daylight robbery” and questioned the availability of reliable public transport, particularly during late hours.
Zamir Dreni, general secretary of the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU), labelled the fee a “cash cow” that unfairly punishes those without viable transport alternatives. He added that for families with children or luggage, taxis are often the only option.
The last increase to the base fee came in early 2024, when it rose from £5 to £6. This new change raises concerns among campaigners, who argue that Gatwick should bear more responsibility for the strain its traffic places on local roads.
Gatwick insists that its £2.2 billion runway expansion plan is ready to begin and fully funded by shareholders. But the Planning Inspectorate has set additional conditions around noise, transport and environmental impact before work can proceed.
Wingate said the revised proposal addresses concerns raised by the Transport Secretary and added, “This project represents a £2.2billion investment, fully funded by our shareholders and it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to make full use of the Northern Runway.”
