Heathrow Airport will raise its drop-off charge for the “kiss and fly” service by 16% starting January 1. The current fee of £6 will increase to £7, with a maximum 10-minute time limit enforced to avoid a penalty of an £80 parking charge notice. The airport stated that this adjustment aligns Heathrow’s Terminal drop-off charge with other leading UK airports, supporting its sustainability strategy by reducing congestion, promoting public transport use, and ensuring forecourts are used as intended. Free drop-off and pick-up options will still be accessible at all terminals through Park & Ride car parks.
According to a spokesperson for Britain’s busiest airport, 95% of passengers complete their drop-offs within the allotted 10 minutes, which is aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. The airport emphasized that the drop-off fee contributes to investments in bus, rail, and sustainable transport initiatives, encouraging passengers to consider travel options with lower environmental impacts.
Heathrow’s website highlights the convenience of its drop-off areas located directly outside each terminal for a quick and easy passenger drop-off process. Payment for a single or multiple drop-offs can be made online or by phone, with a deadline for payment by midnight the following day. Payment cannot be made at airport ticket machines or in the terminal drop-off zones.
In the first nine months of 2025, Heathrow reported a 2% revenue increase to £2.7 billion, driven by robust long-haul flying and higher utilization of premium services, resulting in profits of £1.5 billion, a slight decrease of 0.2%.
Unlike many UK airports, Heathrow’s drop-off zone does not serve as a pick-up area. Passenger pick-ups are directed to the airport’s car parks, where a minimal charge applies for a 30-minute stay.
The recent price adjustment follows a report by the RAC motoring group in July, revealing that over half of the UK’s busiest airports raised their drop-off charges this year, with some airports increasing fees by up to a third for brief stops to drop off passengers. The RAC noted that while UK drivers face higher fees and penalties for non-payment, most European airports offer free drop-offs.
Research by the RAC indicated that 11 of the top 20 airports based on 2024 passenger numbers had raised their prices compared to the previous year. The sharpest increase was observed at Belfast City Airport, where drop-off charges rose by a third to £4 for a 10-minute stay. The highest cost-per-minute airports were identified as London Luton and Manchester, where drivers pay £5 for a five-minute drop-off.
Opt for Daily Mirror as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for swift access to the news content you value.
