LONDON City Airport will introduce drop-off fees for the very first time.
In just a matter of days, the airport will charge those dropping off passengers at its airport.
London City Airport will introduce a drop-off charge of £8 from January 6, 2026.
On its website, the airport said: “The charge will be £8.00 for 0-5 minutes, then £1 per minute for any additional minutes, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes.”
Blue Badge holders are exempt, as are licensed black cab drivers.
London City is the last of the London airports to allow free drop-offs.
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.”
The hope is that the fee will encourage travellers to use public transport rather than arrive by car.
Currently, around 10 per cent of passengers arrive by car, with another 14 per cent using taxis.
Planes from London City Airport fly to over 30 destinations across Europe including Amsterdam, Spain and Greece.
London City is the most recent airport to announce its new drop-off charges, but other major airports are doing the same in 2026.
As of January 1, 2026, London Heathrow has increased its drop-off fee from £6 to £7.
The last drop off increase at London Heathrow was in December 2024, from £5 to £6.
It is also introducing a strict 10-minute drop-off time, with drivers charged £80 if they go over the allocated time slot.
In just a matter of days, London Gatwick is also upping its drop-off fee.
From January 6, 2026, London Gatwick Airport will charge passengers being dropped off the new fee of £10.
Currently charging £7, the £3 increase (a 40 per cent jump) will apply to all drivers using the drop-off zone, excluding Blue Badge holders.
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My local airport was named the best in the UK – it beats London Heathrow and City by miles.