Airport drop-off charges set to be reviewed after increase

The charges at airports across the UK are being reviewed by the UK Government <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
The charges at airports across the UK are being reviewed by the UK Government (Image: Newsquest)
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Airport drop-off charges are to be reviewed by the UK Government.

It comes after a sharp increase in prices over recent years.

Back in February Glasgow Airport charges rose by by £1 to £7 for 15 minutes.

Such charges at Edinburgh Airport have risen from £6 to £8.50, while fees at Bournemouth increased from £5 to £8, the same price as Leeds Bradford and London City.

The Department for Transport confirmed it had committed to a review, saying it was "vital to ensure travel remains accessible and that passengers are treated fairly".

The RAC, which conducted the analysis in July this year, has campaigned against increases in drop-off charges.

Speaking to the BBC, Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "We know airport drop-off charges are a growing source of anger and frustration.

"Four-in-five drivers we've surveyed believe they are a 'rip-off', with just one-in-10 understanding why airports charge what they do."

Supporters of such charges also say they encourage travellers to use of more environmentally friendly modes of transport.

Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK, added: "Airports outside the UK are typically publicly owned and in receipt of state subsidies and tax exemptions, while UK airports are generally privately owned and subject to the full array of commercial rates of taxation."

She added airports offered a "range of options for those travelling to terminals, including free drop off points" and that "any review" by the government would find airports make "excellent use of a variety of ways to manage traffic and air pollution".

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