UK airports hike 'kiss and fly' fees while most EU airports don't charge at all

More than half of UK airports have hiked or introduced drop-off charges for motorists in the past year, while the majority of Europe's busiest airports still don't impose any fee, new research reveals. The RAC's analysis showed that 11 out of 20 UK airports surveyed have upped their "kiss and fly" fees – typically incurred for dropping off passengers directly outside a terminal – since the last summer.

The nine airports that increased their fees by £1 include Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon, Newcastle, and Southampton. Both Leeds Bradford and Glasgow tacked on an extra 50p to their charges.

Cardiff Airport, which had no prior charge, has now implemented a £3 fee. Luton, which didn't have a kiss and fly zone last summer due to a car park blaze, is now charging £5.

The RAC's investigation discovered that eight of the top ten EU airports, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Madrid, do not levy a fee for drop-offs. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis expressed disappointment at the UK airport fee increases, stating they are "all the more depressing" when compared to the situation in Europe.

He added: "The sky really does seem to be the limit when it comes to the amount drivers get charged for making the briefest of stops to let friends or loved ones out to catch a flight."

Mr Dennis highlighted that the primary reason travellers are dropped off at airports is due to cumbersome luggage, making public transport "can be impractical". He noted that while many UK airports provide complimentary drop-off options in car parks, these often necessitate a walk or bus journey to the terminal.

However, he pointed out that such free zones are "often well away from the terminal", leading drivers who want to assist passengers to the terminal to "often end up overstaying the free period". Mr Dennis also raised concerns about the increasing shift by airports towards a barrierless system that requires online or phone payments.

He warned: "Anyone who doesn't notice the change or simply forgets to pay will inevitably be stung with a very unwelcome parking charge notice."

London City stands out as the sole UK airport analysed that allows free drop-offs directly outside its terminal. Meanwhile, prices remained unchanged at Aberdeen, Belfast International, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted.

Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, defended airport policies: "All airports offer a free drop-off facility. They also have a wide variety of options to suit all passengers' needs, including premium drop-off in front of the terminal building for those who wish to use that.

"Where fees are charged, this helps airports manage and reduce congestion, noise, carbon emissions and air pollution for local communities, something that they are mandated to do by the Government and local authorities. These charges are a part of the airport business model and help enable the provision of the widest variety of flights from the airport."

£7: Bristol, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, Southampton and Stansted

£6: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow and Liverpool John Lennon

£5.50: Aberdeen

£5: Bournemouth, East Midlands, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle

£4: Belfast City

£3: Belfast International and Cardiff

£0: London City