Heathrow Airport will increase its drop-off charge for the “kiss and fly” service by 16% starting January 1. The current fee of £6 will rise to £7, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes before potential penalties of an £80 parking charge notice. The airport stated that this adjustment aligns Heathrow with other major UK airports and supports their sustainability strategy to reduce congestion, promote public transport use, and maintain the intended use of forecourts. Free drop-off and pick-up options are still available at all terminals in the Park & Ride car parks.
According to a spokesperson for the airport, the 10-minute time limit aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, with 95% of passengers already adhering to this timeframe. The increased drop-off fee is part of Heathrow’s initiative to invest in more sustainable transport options and encourage environmentally friendly travel choices.
Heathrow’s website highlights the convenience of its drop-off areas located directly outside each terminal for quick and easy passenger drop-offs. Payment can be made for a single drop-off or prepaid for multiple drop-offs online or by phone, with the fee needing settlement by midnight the following day.
Recent financial reports revealed a 2% revenue increase to £2.7 billion in the first nine months of 2025 for Heathrow, driven by long-haul flights and higher utilization of premium services, resulting in profits of £1.5 billion, slightly lower by 0.2%.
Unlike some UK airports, Heathrow’s drop-off facility is not available for passenger pick-ups, which are directed to the airport’s car parks where a minimal charge applies for 30 minutes of parking.
This price adjustment follows a trend observed in many busy airports across the UK, with a study by the RAC showing that more than half of them raised drop-off charges this year, some by up to a third. While UK airports impose fees, most European airports offer free drop-offs, according to the RAC.
Research conducted by the RAC indicated that 11 out of the top 20 airports based on 2024 passenger numbers increased their drop-off charges compared to the previous year. Among the highest-cost airports on a per-minute basis were London Luton and Manchester, charging £5 for five minutes.