On Thursday 3rd December, it emerged that the Heathrow airport is considering charging drivers £5 to drop off their loved ones from next year. Other airports including Manchester, Stansted and Birmingham airports already charge drivers from drop-offs. Whereas, Gatwick has already announced plans to introduce a tariff in the future.
The Telegraph reported that this proposal is Heathrow’s part of a “green initiative” whereby airport authorities believe that the new charges will encourage travellers to use public transport and help it to reach its sustainability goals. The airport is also expected to impose a “Forecourt Access Charge”. Additionally, these charges are also likely to "protect the business financially" following the £1.5 billion of losses in 2020 due to coronavirus.
In a statement to The Telegrpah, Surinder Arora, Founder & CEO of Arora Group said, “It has been tough for everyone. Nothing surprises me with Heathrow. Being the most expensive airport for customers already, it [the £5 charge] is just shocking.”
