Airports criticised for “kiss and fly” charges
The RAC has criticised airports for the amount they charge people for dropping off passengers.
Eighteen of the UK’s 22 airports have increased or introduced so called “kiss and fly charges” according to the motoring organisation.
Manchester Airport has the most expensive charges per minute in the country according to RAC.
The drop off charges were introduced in Manchester last year in a bid to cut congestion at the airport.
Stansted and Luton have the most expensive charges at £4 for 10 minutes and 13 minutes respectively.
Manchester charges the most per minute, with drivers getting just five minutes for £3.
East Midlands, Birmingham, Doncaster-Sheffield and Newcastle have all added £1 to their minimum dropping off charges this summer.
Six airports offer free drop-off spaces including Heathrow and Gatwick.
Stansted increased its prices for this type of parking the most, with a £2.50 rise to £8 for half an hour.
Birmingham is the third costliest at £5.50 for an hour, with Manchester coming in fourth.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Many travellers simply do not have easy public transport access to get to the airport and even if they do, they can’t always depend on it getting them to the airport in good time.
“Many drivers dropping off their friends or family will naturally only spend a minute or two doing so, which makes the experience all the more painful.
“Doing your research on the fees charged before heading to drop off or pick up at an airport has to be the best advice.”
A spokesman for the Airport Operators Association said: “Airports that operate drop-off charges directly outside the terminal do so for a number of different reasons, including to manage congestion in capacity-restricted areas and to limit the environmental and air quality impacts of kiss and fly journeys.
“As the RAC notes, airports offer free drop-off and pick-up alternatives with good links to the terminal.
“This information ensures travellers are well-informed on the range of options to suit their needs.”
Drop off charges
1= Luton: £8 for 30 minutes
1= Stansted: £8 for 30 minutes
- Birmingham: £5.50 for one hour
- Manchester: £4.50 for 30 minutes
- Heathrow: £4.20 for 30 minutes
- Edinburgh: £4 for 15 minutes
7= East Midlands: £4 for 30 minutes
7= Gatwick: £4 for 30 minutes
- London City: £3.50 for 10 minutes
- Southend: £3 for 10 minutes
11= Liverpool John Lennon: £3 for 20 minutes
11= Glasgow: £3 for 20 minutes
- Aberdeen: £2.50 for 15 minutes
- Newcastle: £2 for 10 minutes
- Southampton: £2 for 15 minutes
16= Belfast International: £1 for 10 minutes
16= Cardiff: £1 for 10 minutes
- Bristol: £1 for 20 minutes
- Jersey: 80p for 30 minutes
- Belfast City: Free for 10 minutes
- Doncaster Sheffield: Free for 15 minutes
- Leeds Bradford: Free for one hour
