UK airports are set to introduce major changes in the coming weeks with drivers being urged to check the updates before travelling.
One of the biggest changes includes drop-off and pick-up charges increasing by 20 per cent at Heathrow Airport from £5 to £6.
The price hike at the UK’s busiest airport comes alongside changes announced by Stansted Airport which is due to implement a new barrierless drop-off system in late January.
Meanwhile, Sumburgh Airport in Shetland plans to reinstate its £3 daily parking charges which were originally scrapped due to technical issues earlier this year.
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Heathrow has increased drop-off fees from £5 to £6
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Heathrow’s increased fee will apply each time a vehicle enters the terminal drop-off areas, with payment required by midnight the following day. The airport said the change will “partially bridge the gap between forecasted terminal drop-off charges revenues included within the Civil Aviation Authority final proposal and the latest views”.
Heathrow’s new £6 charge must be paid online, by phone, or through an autopay system, with no option to pay at airport ticket machines or in the drop-off zones.
Under the new rules, drivers who fail to pay the charge will receive an £80 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
The airport reports that since introducing the drop-off charge in 2021, more passengers are using public transport, with usage increasing from 41 per cent pre-Covid to 45 per cent currently.
Forecourt usage has also declined from 49 per cent of departing passengers at the start of 2019 to 46 per cent in July 2024, equating to approximately 1.7 million fewer visits annually.
However, drivers have been left furious over the price hikes with one person sharing: “Totally unnecessary bleeding every drop out of the public.
“We didn’t have this before Covid so why the easy money-making scheme now!!! Ah that’s why it’s easy taking money off on a daily basis.”
London Stansted also revealed that it will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, similar to that used at the Dartford Crossing to ensure drivers pay the £7 drop-off charges.
Anita Harrison, London Stansted Customer Operations Director, said: “The new barrierless system we will introduce in the new year will make dropping-off passengers quicker and more convenient, reducing driver waiting times and helping improve passenger flows.”
Frequent users, including taxi drivers, will be able to register for auto-pay accounts while existing discounts for eligible residents in the surrounding area will remain unchanged.
The airport explained that the removal of barriers will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, but it has been met with mixed views.
In response to the barrierless move, one person said: “Generally speaking it sounds like it will make life easier for local residents and regular users. I just hope it will be easy to use for other people and doesn’t gather personal data.”
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Stansted Airport will roll out barrierless drop-off zones
PA
Someone else shared: “Well, I am looking forward to being able to register payment details in the same way that I pay to cross the Thames, enter Ulez and congestion charge areas in London without the need to waste time paying per journey.
“When I was at the airport yesterday, I managed to drop my credit card as I paid the 50p, then panicked as the barrier raised when I was out of the car. The previous time there were enormous queues as a car had broken down in one gate.”