Heathrow Airport is set to increase its drop-off charge for the “kiss and fly” service by 16% starting in January. The current fee of £6 will rise to £7 on January 1, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes enforced thereafter to avoid a penalty charge of £80. The airport stated that this adjustment aligns Heathrow’s drop-off charge with other major UK airports, aiming to reduce congestion and promote the use of public transportation.
According to a Heathrow spokesperson, the price hike and time limit are part of the airport’s efforts to manage traffic flow effectively. The spokesperson emphasized that 95% of passengers already complete drop-offs within the allocated time frame. Additionally, the drop-off fee contributes to Heathrow’s investment in sustainable transport initiatives and encourages environmentally friendly travel options.
Heathrow Airport’s drop-off areas are conveniently located outside each terminal for passenger convenience. Payment options include single drop-off fees or pre-paid multiple drop-offs online or by phone. The fee must be settled by midnight the following day, with no on-site payment options available.
Recent financial reports indicated a 2% revenue increase to £2.7 billion for Heathrow in the first nine months of 2025, driven by long-haul flights and premium services. Profits slightly decreased by 0.2% but remained substantial at £1.5 billion. Unlike some UK airports that allow pick-ups in drop-off areas, Heathrow requires passenger pick-ups to occur in designated car parks with a minimal charge for 30 minutes.
This increase follows a trend reported by the RAC in July, revealing that over half of the UK’s busiest airports raised drop-off charges this year. While UK airports are increasing fees, many European airports still offer free drop-offs, as highlighted by the RAC. Among the top 20 airports based on 2024 passenger numbers, 11 raised their prices, with Belfast City showing the steepest increase to £4 for 10 minutes. London Luton and Manchester were identified as having the highest cost-per-minute charges at £5 for five minutes.