London Gatwick drop-off charges increase to £10 from January

Motorists will face a 43% increase when stopping outside Gatwick's terminals

Car parks and traffic arriving at London Gatwick Airport North Terminal, West Sussex UK in February
Author: Cameron GreenPublished 12th Dec 2025
Last updated 12th Dec 2025

Motorists dropping off passengers at London Gatwick Airport will be charged £10 from 6th January 2026, as the airport implements a 43% increase to its forecourt fees.

The fee, which currently stands at £7, applies to vehicles briefly stopping outside the airport’s terminal forecourts.

Gatwick Airport said rising operating costs, including a significant increase in its business rates, prompted the decision.

“This increase in the drop-off charge is not a decision we have taken lightly; however, we are facing a number of increasing costs, including a more than doubling of our business rates,” a Gatwick spokesperson said.

The new charge comes after a series of previous rises, including increases from £5 to £6 and then £7 in recent years. Gatwick is among several UK airports that have raised drop-off charges recently, a trend flagged by both drivers and travel organisations.

Gatwick officials said the fee helps the airport manage rising operational costs while maintaining its service levels for passengers.

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