Holiday warning over extra airport charges adding to bills – how much more will you pay?
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been hit with a warning over extra airport charges adding to their bills.
Those looking to head abroad this summer might find that their costs a to park are higher than last year.
Drop-off fees for drivers have increased at more than a third of major UK airports in the past year, according to new research by RAC.
The driving experts analysed prices at 21 airports since August 2022.
It found that eight have raised or introduced charges for dropping off passengers since last summer.
Drivers should “brace themselves” for record high fees, according to the RAC.
“Kiss and fly” costs tend to be charged for dropping off someone as close to a terminal as possible.
The biggest offender of spiking costs according to the motoring service company are at Southampton and Belfast International airports.
The first has raised its fee from £4 to £6 for 20 minutes, while the latter has hiked its price from £1 to £3 for 10 minutes.
Belfast City Airport used to allow drivers to drop passengers near its terminal for free, but this now costs £3 for 10 minutes.
Aberdeen, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool John Lennon airports have each added £1 to their fees.
Despite not raising its price this year, Stansted topped the ranking again this year for the most expensive drop-off cost.
The airport’s initial fee is £7 for 15 minutes.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, has frozen its fee of £5 with no time limit.
Other airports that haven’t increased their fees are Gatwick, East Midlands, Edinburgh and Luton.
Passengers being dropped off at airports by taxis and private hire vehicles generally have the fees added to their fares.
Cardiff, Inverness and London City were the only airports analysed which allow free drop-offs outside terminals.
Many airports offer free options for dropping passengers off in mid or long-stay car parks connected to terminals by buses.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said motorists being hit by annual hikes in airport charges has become “an annual ritual”.
He said: “Drivers should brace themselves for jaw-dropping prices when they drop their loved ones off at the terminal.
“Thankfully the proportion of airports hiking fees this year is lower than last year, but that will be little consolation as charges across the board have never been so high.”
Nicholas went on to say that “doing your research ahead of travelling has never been more important”.
This is due in part to train and tube strikes leading to travellers needing to call on friends and family for airport drop-offs and therefore being hit with the new charges.
He added: “Many airports offer a free or reduced-rate drop-off area away from the terminal in long-stay car parks where travellers can hop on a shuttle bus connection, saving their driver incurring more expensive charges nearer the departures building.
“Drivers tempted to drop loved ones on the roads inside the boundaries of the airport should beware as many enforce no-stopping areas with cameras which could lead to hefty penalty charges.”
How to avoid extra airport drop-off charges
RAC has also shared its top tips for avoiding the additional costs to drop-off outside airports this summer.
It says to check out the drop-off facilities on the airport’s website ahead of time to understand fees, payment options and stay times.
Terminal forecourt drop-off areas are likely to be the most expensive, it warned.
Once you have found out how to pay, ensure you have payment ready to hand, whether that is the right change, a debit or credit card or pre-programmed the payment number into your phone.
Although, some airports do allow you to pay online.
Another tip is to make sure you say your goodbyes before you get to the airport.
RAC warns that if you don’t they might prove expensive, particularly if you go over the initial time limit for drop-offs.
Finally, if you’re booking a taxi to take you to the airport, check to see whether the fare includes or excludes any drop-off fees to avoid any nasty surprises upon arrival.
Meanwhile, a woman has shared how Martin Lewis helped her save £600 on airport parking fees.
Plus, a man shared how one of Martin’s tips helped him save £2,000 on his holiday.
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