Heathrow raises unpopular 'green' drop-off fees again

“Drop-off ripoff”: that’s the accusation from some motorists after the UK’s busiest airport announced another rise in the fee for dropping off or picking up passengers.

- SIMON CALDER TRAVEL CORRESPONDENT

From the new year, London Heathrow will increase the charge for drivers for stopping outside any of the four terminals from £6 to £7, and bring in a maximum 10-minute stay before a £40 penalty applies.

The Heathrow charge went up by a pound at the start of this year, too, which means a 40 per cent rise since the charge was brought in four years ago at a fiver. Motorists must go online and pay the charge by midnight the following day - if they don't, the penalty charge is £40 if paid within a fortnight, rising to £80 after that.

Heathrow points out that it's simply raising the fee to match other leading airports. And the airport says that blue badge holders won't need to pay, nor face the 10-minute limit.

Passengers can avoid the charge by being dropped off at a long-stay car park and waiting for a shuttle bus, but that is unappealing on a cold winter's morning.