'Depressing' rise in airport drop-off fees

Half UK airports upped charges - in contrast to their busy EU counterparts

- 

MORE than half of UK airports raised or introduced drop-off fees for drivers in the past year, while most of the busiest EU airports still have no charge, according to new research.

Eleven out of 20 UK airports analysed by the RAC have increased so-called "kiss and fly" charges - which are typically levied for dropping off a passenger as close to a terminal as possible - since last summer.

The nine airports which raised their fees by £1 are Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon, Newcastle and Southampton.

Leeds Bradford and Glasgow both added 50p to their charges. Cardiff, which previously had no charge, introduced a £3 fee.

Luton had no kiss and fly area last summer because of a car park fire, but now charges £5.

East Midlands airport kept the same fees of £5.