Gatwick airport, the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the UK, after Heathrow Airport, is to levy a charge to drop off passengers from Monday 8 March. The charges will apply initially at North Terminal.
The North Terminal forecourt drop-off area is on the lower level between the Sofitel and the multi-storey car park and is signposted from the approach roads.
Fees are tiered as follows: £5 for the first 10min, and £1 for each additional minute up to 20min. The maximum charge will be £25 and the maximum length of stay 30min. Payment must be made by midnight the day after the visit to drop off passengers at the forecourt.
However, there are options that avoid the charges. Drop off and pick up of passengers can take place at the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours’ free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
Or passengers can use public transport, including train and bus services.
The charge is designed to reduce unsustainable journeys. The airport views the ‘Kiss and Fly’ as the least sustainable type of journey to the airport as it involves two return car journeys. They want to reduce traffic at and around Gatwick. Figures show that in 2019 ‘Kiss and Fly’ journeys comprised 15 per cent of airport traffic.
Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer, said:
“It is no secret that the airport is going through the most difficult period in its history and we have little choice but to explore new revenue streams that will us help us recover from the Covid-19 crisis and continue as an important provider of economic prosperity and jobs across the region.”
Luton airport also charges drop-off and pick-up fees. Heathrow is the only major London airport that does not charge for this.
Find out more about the fee on the Gatwick Airport website.