In 2026, pick up and drop of fees in all London airports have skyrocketed with there now being an average of an £8 fee for a 10 minute drop off in all London airports, such as London Southend, Heathrow, Gatwick and so on.
Why are pickup and drop-off fees increasing?
According to statements from Southend Airport, these changes are intended to encourage passengers to move more quickly through the terminal. The airport has cited a recent surge in demand with 1.89 million travellers passing through the terminal in January 2026.
The airport introduced an £8 charge for a 10-minute stay in the pickup and drop-off zone. Officials said the fee will help fund a new express lane scheduled to open in March, which they claim will improve efficiency.
However, critics question whether the changes will significantly improve efficiency given the continued rise in traveler numbers. The higher charges have also sparked public outrage, with many questioning whether the increased fees reflect fairly on the services being provided.
Are pickup and drop-off fees revenue-driven?
Concerns have been raised that airport pick-up and drop-off charges are increasingly being used as a revenue-generating measure rather than a service improvement.
Criticism has come from James Newport a Liberal Democrat councillor, labelled the fees as:
“rip-off charges.”
RAC analysis shows that drivers dropping off friends and family at U.K. airports are facing the highest charges on record this summer. More than half of the U.K. airports have increased their fees since last year. This trend is particularly striking when compared with most European airports, where pick-up and drop-off fees are typically not charged.
What do you think of this increase in fees at London Stansted? Should airlines have the power to up prices each year? Let us know in the comments below.
