Gatwick Airport to Charge a Fiver for Passenger ‘drop-offs’ from Next Year

Gatwick Airport is to introduce a £5 fee for vehicles dropping off passengers outside its terminals from next year in a bid to help the airport recover from the impact of COVID-19.

The airport said the move would bring it in line with most other UK airports and that the money raised would go towards its recovery and go someway in preserving airport jobs, presently in jeopardy, caused by the economic impact of the crisis.

The £5 charge will also help Gatwick continue to meet its commitment to reduce ‘Kiss and Fly’ journeys involving two return car journeys, said the airport, encourage public transport use and cut road traffic congestion. Currently, around 15% of airport journeys are classed ‘Kiss and Fly’.

Drivers who do not want to pay the charge will be able to drop off or pick up passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks, with two hours’ free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals. At the moment, cars can drop off passengers directly in front of both terminals but are required to use the short-term car park for picking up passengers.

At the moment it’s free, but next year a five-pound charge will be levied for passenger drop-offs at Gatwick Airport. image: Twitter

Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer, said the airport remained committed to its investment into a £150 million project to upgrade the airport’s train station to improve passenger flow, including new lifts, escalators and wider platforms. He said: “Gatwick has just gone through the most challenging period in its history and this new drop off charging scheme will give us a new revenue stream to aid recovery from the Covid-19 crisis and ultimately help us continue as an important provider of economic prosperity and jobs across the region.

He went on to say: “Gatwick is also committed to promoting sustainable travel and this new scheme will encourage passengers to consider more sustainable transport options, including public transport services or parking options at the airport, which only involves two single-car trips, compared to two return trips when dropping off.”

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Tony Winterburn

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