London Stansted and Luton Airport top the drop-off charge league of shame while 8 in 10 have upped their fees

LONDON Stansted has the most expensive pick up and drop off fees, followed by Luton Airport.

And there's more bad news for family and friends who drive their loved ones to or from the terminal as many of these fees have gone up this year.

Many airports across the UK charge a fee to pick up or drop off passengers in what's often known as kiss and fly charges.

Usually the fee is in tiers and will change depending on the amount of time spent at the airport.

For example, there may be a set fee for the first 10 minutes (the initial charges) and a different rate for the next 20 minutes.

RAC looked at the initial charges for picking up or dropping off passengers for 22 of the UK's busiest airports.

Compared to last year, eight in ten airports have either put up their prices or introduced new ones.

Based on their research, eight airports including London Stansted, Birmingham and Newcastle have increased their drop off fees.

While Heathrow, Southampton and Belfast were among the eight airports to have increased their charges for picking up passengers.

London Stansted Airport has turned out to be the most expensive hub for both drop off and pick up fees.

It charges £4 for 10 minutes for drop offs (up by 50p compared to 2018) and £8 for 30 minutes for picks ups (£2.50 more than last year).

It's followed by London Luton, who charge £4 for 13 minutes for drop offs (up by £1) and £8 for 30 minutes for picks ups.

A spokesman for MAG, which owns London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports, said: “At our airports, passengers being dropped off at the forecourt are subject to a charge, which is designed to encourage alternative, more sustainable transport options while reducing congestion and traffic jams at the airport and surrounding roads.

“We offer alternative free drop off areas close to our terminals, with complimentary transport to and from the forecourt, for those passengers who do not wish to pay.”

“At London Stansted Airport, more than half of our passengers already arrive by public transport, more than any other UK airport, and our ambition is to encourage even more to do so.”

London Southend was the only airport on the list to have introduced new charges for the first time this year.

But while it can be expensive to drop off passengers right outside the terminal, there are ways to avoid the charges.

Many of these airports do have short or long stay car parks away from the terminal that are free for drop offs and pick ups.

There may be a short walk or a shuttle bus ride away though.

You can find out how to avoid the charges here.

Earlier this year, a mum was fined £60 after falling foul of the airport drop off fees.

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Sun Online Travel has contacted Luton Airport for comment.