11th May 2026
If Edinburgh Airport goes ahead with the new £8.50 charge for 10 minutes, it will become one of the most expensive airports in the UK outside London, but not the outright most expensive overall.
Edinburgh will effectively be tied as the most expensive airport outside London for a standard 10-minute drop-off.
The airport says the rise is because its business rates bill has jumped by £8 million — a 142% increase — and claims it has little choice but to pass some of the cost on to passengers.
Public reaction today has been very negative, with many travellers calling it “daylight robbery” and comparing it unfavourably with many European airports where short drop-offs remain free.
At the moment, the highest UK airport drop-off charges are:
Airport Typical drop-off charges
London City Airport £13 for 10 mins
London Gatwick Airport £10 for 10 mins
London Stansted Airport £10 for 15 mins
Edinburgh Airport £8.50 for 10 mins
Bristol Airport £8.50 for 10 mins
Leeds Bradford Airport about £8–£8.50