GATWICK Airport has one of the most expensive drop-off fees in the UK, according to new research.

An RAC investigation found that 16 of 22 major UK airports have introduced or raised charges for dropping off passengers in the past three years.

Gatwick placed third in a list of most expensive airports for drop-offs, charging £5 for ten minutes.

Stansted topped the table with a price of £7 for 15 minutes, followed by Manchester - charging £5 for just five minutes.

Gatwick Airport, the second busiest in the UK, introduced the cost last year.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said limited public transport options for some airports and concerns about train strikes mean many passengers are asking friends or family for a lift to the airport.

He said: “Anyone dropping a loved one off at the terminal this summer will be stunned by some of these sky-high, kiss-and-drop charges.

“For those using the UK’s two busiest airports, the luxury of free drop-offs outside the terminal building has been replaced by some pretty high fees.”

Mr Lyes said that the increased fees appeared like an attempt by airports to “partially make up for two years of lost revenue” during the pandemic.

He advised drivers to research changes before heading to airports and warned them to be aware that many sites use cameras to enforce bans on stopping in certain areas.

“Trying to drop passengers off without paying could result in a hefty charge,” he said.

Gatwick continues to offer free options for passengers to use long-stay car parks, with disabled blue badge holders exempt from the drop-off charge.

Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer at the airport, said: “We are considering how to rebuild better and this charge has a role to play, encouraging more sustainable journeys to the airport using our strong public transport connections.

“Our investment in the new £150 million airport train station is also progressing well and will benefit anyone travelling to the airport by train and a proportion of the revenue raised through the forecourt charge will also support other new sustainable transport initiatives.”