Heathrow Airport will raise its drop-off charge for the “kiss and fly” service by 16% starting January 1st. The current £6 fee will increase to £7, and a maximum 10-minute stay will be enforced, with a potential £80 penalty for exceeding the time limit.
The airport’s spokesperson stated that this adjustment aligns Heathrow’s Terminal drop-off fee with other major UK airports, supporting their sustainability strategy to reduce congestion and promote public transport usage. Free drop-off and pick-up options are still available at all terminals in Park & Ride car parks.
Guy Hobbs, a travel expert from consumer group Which?, expressed concern over the price hike and time restriction, emphasizing the added stress and cost for travelers. However, alternative long stay car parks provide free drop-off options across major UK airports.
Heathrow reported that 95% of passengers complete their drop-offs within the allotted 10 minutes, aiming to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion with this time limit. The airport emphasized that the drop-off fee contributes to investments in bus, rail, and sustainable transport initiatives, encouraging environmentally friendly travel choices.
Heathrow’s website highlights the convenience of its drop-off areas located directly outside each terminal, offering easy and efficient passenger drop-offs. Payment options include single or pre-paid multiple drop-offs online or by phone, with fees due by midnight the following day, excluding payment at airport ticket machines or terminal drop-off zones.
Recent data revealed a 2% increase in Heathrow’s revenues to £2.7 billion for the first nine months of 2025, driven by long-haul flights and growing utilization of premium services. Although profits slightly declined by 0.2%, they remained substantial at £1.5 billion.
In contrast to many UK airports, Heathrow’s drop-off area does not accommodate passenger pick-ups, directing such activities to its car parks with minimal charges for 30 minutes.
The latest price adjustment follows a study by the RAC in July, which reported that over half of the UK’s busiest airports raised their drop-off charges in the past year. While this trend persists, most European airports offer free drop-off services, highlighting discrepancies in pricing strategies across regions.
According to the RAC’s research, 11 out of the top 20 airports experienced price hikes since the previous year, with Belfast City Airport increasing charges by a third to £4 for a 10-minute stop. London Luton and Manchester were noted as the most expensive airports on a cost-per-minute basis, charging £5 for five minutes.
