Drop-off fees at Britain's busiest airports have risen by roughly a third since last summer, with 16 of the 20 largest hubs increasing or introducing charges, according to an analysis by the RAC.
The average cost of using a kiss-and-fly zone has climbed to £7, up £1.70 from a year ago. Gatwick and Stansted now levy the highest fees at £10, while London City Airport, previously free, charges £8 for just five minutes. Only Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City and Southampton held fees steady. By contrast, none of the European Union's 10 busiest airports charge for drop-offs, with hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle and Milan Malpensa offering free waiting zones.
The increases come as Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved Gatwick's second runway contingent on 54 percent of passengers using public transport. Blue Badge holders remain exempt from Gatwick's drop-off charges.