An increase in the drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport has sparked criticism from travellers, drivers and industry commentators, with the fee rising to £10 for just 10 minutes outside the terminal.
According to BBC News, the charge increase came into force this week, with the airport stating the decision was driven by rising operating costs, including a more than doubling of business rates.
Travel writer Andy Mossack described the hike as a “money-making exercise”, telling BBC Radio Surrey that passengers and drivers were taking “another blow to the pocket” and calling the decision “disgraceful”.
Gatwick first introduced a £5 drop-off fee in March 2021, which increased to £6 in 2024, then £7 in May, before jumping to £10 this week. The BBC report also notes that nine of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union do not charge a drop-off fee.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said passengers can still be dropped off for free at long-stay car parks, with shuttle buses to the terminals, and argued the charge encourages greater use of public transport to reduce congestion. However, travel podcast host Lisa Francesca Nand told BBC Radio Surrey that public transport is “not feasible for some travellers”, citing expensive fares and early-morning service gaps.
Taxi driver Nadeem Mehmood also raised concerns, telling BBC Radio Sussex that the higher fee must be added to fares and is “very bad” for trade, adding: “We have lost lots of business because of this. It’s too expensive.”
DM News Commentary
From a taxi and private hire perspective, this is another example of airport costs being quietly passed straight onto passengers.
Whether Gatwick labels it congestion control or cost recovery, the reality is simple: taxi fares increase, and drivers are left explaining airport charges they have no control over. For families, elderly passengers, or those travelling early in the morning with luggage, “use public transport instead” just isn’t realistic.
What’s also telling is the wider European comparison. If most major EU airports can operate without drop-off charges, UK airports continuing to hike fees raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and value for money.
For drivers, it’s not just about the £10 — it’s about lost jobs, frustrated customers, and reputational damage when passengers feel ripped off before they’ve even checked in.
Unless something changes, this won’t be the last airport drop-off charge increase we see — and once again, it’s the paying customer who loses.
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