Gatwick Airport drop-off charge rises to £7

The fee for parking at the airport goes up from Friday

Gatwick Airport is increasing the price of its drop-off zones by £1, bringing the minimum charge to £7.

The rise comes in from Friday for drivers dropping passengers at the airport's forecourts.

In January 2024 a previous increase saw the fee go from £5 to £6.

A Gatwick spokesperson said the charge helped limit the number of cars and reduce congestion at terminal entrances and funded sustainable transport initiatives.

They added: "Passengers can be dropped off for free in our long-stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge."

The fee can be paid online, by phone or by setting up an account.

The airport spokesperson said sustainable transport such as a £1m investment in Metrobus routes in 2025 was funded by the charge.

They added: "It also plays a role in encouraging more passengers and staff to use public transport to reach the airport, to achieve our aim for 60% of journeys to and from the airport to be zero or ultra-low emissions, by 2030."