“Travellers will be painfully aware of the spiralling costs of dropping a loved one at the airport,” said Which? Travel deputy editor Jo Rhodes. 

“These latest figures come as a stark reminder that holiday budgets are being stretched at every turn, with higher hotel and flight prices already making a getaway unaffordable for many.”

RAC data published on Thursday (13 July) shows that seven of the UK’s busiest airports have put up drop-off fees, while one – Belfast City – has introduced new charges. 

According to figures, Southampton and Belfast International airports have introduced the biggest jump, with Southampton hiking its fees from £4 for 20 minutes in 2022 to £6 now and Belfast International going up to £3 for 10 minutes. 

Other significant hikes include Leeds Bradford and Liverpool John Lennon charging respectively £6 and £5 for a 10-minute stop.

Despite not increasing its fees this year, Stansted continues to top the drop-off charges ranking, charging customers £7 for 15 minutes. 

“Having tracked airport drop-off fees since 2016, we can see putting up charges has now become something of an annual ritual,” said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes.

“Drivers should brace themselves for jaw-dropping prices when they drop their loved-ones off at the terminal.”

Nevertheless, some of the UK’s biggest hubs – including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester – have kept their prices the same. 

“Doing your research ahead of travelling has never been more important,” Lyes added.

“Many airports offer a free or reduced-rate drop-off area away from the terminal in long-stay car parks where travellers can hop on a shuttle bus connection, saving their driver incurring more expensive charges nearer the departures building.”