London City Airport has implemented a drop-off charge, marking the end of its distinction as the only airport in London without such a fee.

The charge will be set at £8 for up to five minutes, followed by an additional £1 for each minute thereafter, with a maximum stay limit of 10 minutes.

In a statement, London City Airport confirmed that holders of Blue Badges would not be required to pay the fee, and that black cab fares would incorporate the drop-off fee as part of the fare structure, consistent with agreements made by Transport for London with other prominent airports.

The airport in East London indicated that this decision aims to promote a shift towards public and sustainable transport options for passengers traveling to and from the facility.

In a related development, Gatwick Airport has increased its drop-off fee from £7 to £10 for a stay of up to 10 minutes, citing “rising costs, including a significant increase in our business rates,” as the reasoning behind this adjustment.

As a result, Gatwick will surpass Bristol Airport to become the most expensive airport in England for drop-off and pick-up parking.

Gatwick noted that passengers are still able to drop off their travelers free of charge in its long-stay car park, where a complimentary shuttle service is available to transport them to the terminal.

The airport claims that the fee hike will encourage greater reliance on public transport, alleviate congestion at terminal entrances, and finance sustainable transport initiatives, which includes a £1 million investment in new Metrobus routes slated for 2025.

Heathrow has also raised its drop-off fee by £1 starting January 1st.

While other airports in London already impose similar charges, there have not been recent increases in their rates. All London airports continue to exempt Blue Badge holders from these fees.

Clive Wratten, the chief executive of the Business Travel Association, expressed that airports are resorting to the simplest method of generating revenue by increasing parking costs.

He remarked that public transportation often remains impractical as an alternative.

“Merely increasing curbside fees doesn’t make public transport a more feasible option,” he stated.

“We urgently require a more coordinated and transparent strategy that prioritizes fairness, accessibility, and genuine travel behavior over short-term financial interests.”

A government spokesperson commented: “Airports are in charge of determining their own parking regulations, but they must adhere to consumer protection laws and provide justifications for their fees.

“We are implementing a £4.3 billion support initiative aimed at capping increases in business rates for major properties, including airports, at 30% before applying other relief measures. Without this intervention, some increases could reach as high as 500%.”