Manchester Airport drop-off now second priciest in UK per minute, RAC finds
Dropping someone off at Manchester Airport now works out at £1.10 a minute, making it the second most expensive airport in the UK on a per-minute basis, according to new RAC analysis.
The airport charges £5.50 for five minutes in its drop-off zone, with only London City costing more per minute.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the other airport most commonly used by people in Flintshire, is one of only four of the UK’s 20 busiest airports not to have raised its drop-off fee this year.
It charges £6 for ten minutes.
The RAC found 16 of the UK’s 20 busiest airports have increased their drop-off charges since last summer, with the average fee rising by £1.70 to £7, an increase of around a third.
All 20 now charge for drop-offs after London City introduced fees for the first time.
Before the pandemic, six of them, including Heathrow and Gatwick, offered free drop-off close to the terminal.
None of the ten busiest airports in the EU charge drivers to drop off passengers.
The RAC has also warned drivers about barrierless drop-off zones, which Manchester uses along with Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
Drivers must pay online or by phone before midnight the day after using the zone, and those who miss the deadline are sent a £100 parking charge notice.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “It’s disappointing to see so many airports charging so much for what many regard as a simple act of kindness in dropping off family and friends.
“Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these ‘farewell fees’ – especially when they’re completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate.
“Those that drop off but miss the signage, or forget to go online or phone the airport to pay soon afterwards, can face a parking charge notice as high as £100 – a fee that feels distinctly disproportionate to the contravention.
“We certainly recommend drivers explore the free short-term parking options many airports offer but make themselves aware of just how long they’re permitted to park for.”
The RAC’s figures are based on the drop-off zones nearest the terminal buildings, with some airports offering free or cheaper alternatives further away with shuttle connections.
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