London City Airport to introduce car drop off fees

London City Airport is the final major airport in the UK where passengers can still be dropped off or collected by car at the terminal without incurring a fee – but this is now set to change.

Located in east London’s Docklands, the airport has confirmed to The Independent that it will introduce a charge by the end of 2025.

According to airport officials, the new fee is part of a broader initiative to promote environmentally friendly travel.

In a statement, the airport explained: “The charge will help London City meet its wider sustainability goals by reducing the number of vehicles travelling to and from the airport, supporting efforts to lower congestion, reduce emissions and improve air quality in the surrounding area.”

Currently, seven-in-ten of London City’s passengers opt for public transport to access the airport, and only around 10% of passengers travel to the airport by private car.

These will now incur a fee to enter the drop off area – along with taxis and those that use ride-hailing apps like Uber.

Airport officials have yet to confirm the exact timing or cost of the upcoming charge.

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RAC’s senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said: “For drivers, this is an unwelcome watershed moment. It’s enormously disappointing to see the airport introduce a drop-off fee, the last of the UK’s top-20 airports do so.

“Compared to many, London City has excellent public transport connections so arguably most people dropping off are only those that really need to.

“The demise of free airport drop-offs in the UK is in sharp contrast to what’s normal elsewhere in Europe, with RAC analysis earlier this year finding eight of the EU’s top-10 airports by passenger numbers still allowing drivers to say goodbye to friends and loved ones at terminals free of charge."