More than half of the UK’s airports have hiked their fees for drivers parking to pick up friends or family this summer, new analysis revealed.
Thirteen airports have raised their pick-up parking prices with Luton having increased its prices by more than any other airport this year, according to the study of parking prices by the RAC.
Parking at Luton can cost as much as £8 for of up to 30 minutes, £1 more than last year when the minimum permitted stay was longer at 40 minutes.
The airport recently closed its short-stay car park, advising drivers to use its new multi-storey for close terminal parking.
Stansted was found to be the second most expensive, with drivers facing an initial charge of £5.50 for a stay of up to half an hour, followed by Birmingham where the fee is £5.10 for stopping for up to an hour – with the airports raising their prices by 50p and 20p respectively in 2018.
Four airports share fourth spot with initial pick-up charges of £4, but in real terms Edinburgh is the most expensive as its fee only gives drivers a measly 15 minutes in contrast to both Heathrow and Gatwick which give motorists a more generous 30 minutes parking, the RAC found.
Southampton airport increased its prices the most by doubling its initial fee from £1 to £2, although drivers can now stay for up to 15 minutes rather than the previous ten.
Glasgow has raised its minimum charge by 50% from £2 to £3, with drivers now being permitted to park for 20 minutes – twice as long as before.
Belfast, Liverpool John Lennon and Leeds Bradford airports are the only three major airports in the UK that still permit free short-stay pick-ups.
However, the RAC found drop-off costs to be sky-high at some airports, with Stansted charging the most at £3.50 for a stay of up to ten minutes.
But the most expensive place to park on an equivalent ‘per minute’ basis was found to be Manchester airport which shortly introduces charges for the first time, having previously operated a free drop-off zone outside the airport. A five-minute stay costs £3, the equivalent of 60p per minute.
These airports are followed by Luton (£3 for 10 minutes), Liverpool John Lennon (£3 for 20 minutes) and Leeds Bradford (£3 for 30 minutes).
Four airports still allow drivers to drop off passengers free-of-charge outside their terminals – Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Cardiff.
RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “As we enter the summer holiday season, the UK’s airports are about to see some of their busiest weeks of the year.
“With thousands of motorists driving to airports to pick up and drop off friends and family members many will unfortunately find themselves shocked by some of the extortionate parking tariffs operated by some airports.
“Our advice is to check parking fees and time limits well before setting out for an airport this summer so as to avoid a nasty shock.
“Drivers should also be aware of just how high some charges can be if they inadvertently stay longer picking up or dropping off than they originally meant to.
“We advise doing some research before heading to the airport and seeing if there are any cheaper parking options available; some airports offer more affordable spaces further from the terminal building, and some better rates for reserving a space online.
“If picking up, it is wise to make sure you know when a friend or a family member is landing and leave additional time for them to pick up their luggage.
“We also strongly urge drivers who are researching longer stay airport parking to only book through reliable parking providers.”
A Stansted spokesman told the BBC: “Revenue generated from car parking and retail at the airport is used to develop new passenger services and facilities, and keep charges low for airlines, resulting in cheaper air fares for our passengers.”
Luton airport said there were other car parks which were free to use. However, these are a ten- to 15-minute walk away, or a bus ride of least five minutes.