Heathrow Airport will increase its drop-off charge for the “kiss and fly” service by 16% starting January. The current fee of £6 will rise to £7 on January 1, with a maximum 10-minute stay limit enforced to avoid an £80 parking charge notice. According to a spokesperson, this adjustment aligns Heathrow’s Terminal drop-off charge with other major UK airports and supports their sustainability strategy by reducing congestion and promoting public transport use.
Guy Hobbs, a travel expert from the consumer group Which?, expressed concerns about the added stress and cost this price increase and time limit may bring to travelers. However, Heathrow mentioned that 95% of passengers finish their drop-offs within the allotted 10 minutes, aiding traffic flow and congestion reduction.
The airport stated that the drop-off fee contributes to their investment in bus, rail, and sustainable transport projects, aiming to encourage passengers to choose environmentally friendly travel options. Heathrow’s website highlights the convenience of drop-off areas located directly outside each terminal and outlines payment methods for the service.
Recent data revealed a 2% revenue increase to £2.7 billion in the first nine months of 2025 for Heathrow, driven by long-haul flights and growing uptake of premium services. Despite a slight profit decrease to £1.5 billion, Heathrow remains profitable. Unlike some UK airports, Heathrow’s drop-off area does not allow passenger pick-ups, which are directed to the airport’s car parks with minimal charges for 30-minute stays.
The rise in drop-off charges at Heathrow follows a trend among the UK’s busiest airports, as reported by the RAC in July. More than half of these airports have raised drop-off fees this year, with some increasing prices by up to a third for brief stops to drop off passengers. While UK drivers face these fees, most European airports provide free drop-off services, according to the RAC.
Research from the RAC showed that 11 out of the top 20 airports, based on 2024 passenger numbers, raised their drop-off prices compared to the previous year. Notably, charges at Belfast City Airport increased by a third to £4 for 10 minutes. London Luton and Manchester airports were identified as the most expensive on a cost-per-minute basis, charging £5 for five minutes.