As many Brits gear up for their long-awaited holidays, they are also being urged to stay alert over unexpected airport drop-off fees. New research has revealed that non-compliance at these hectic airport locations, also known as "kiss and fly", now carries fines of up to £100, meaning a short delay or a missed payment could put a real dampener on your holiday mood.

Credit card company thimbl.com analysed the drop-off rules, overstay charges and penalty notices at major UK airports and discovered that drivers can face fines ranging from £50 to £100, even if they exceed the time limit by only a few minutes. As of 2026, nearly every major UK airport charges for the privilege of stopping outside the terminal, with fees applying from the moment a vehicle enters the drop-off zone, with strict time limits and automated enforcement. Some airports charge £1 per minute for overstaying, while others issue a fixed penalty regardless of how long the driver stays.

As of early 2026, prices have hit record highs. Gatwick Airport currently holds the title for the most expensive drop-off in the country. As of January 6, drivers here face a £10 charge for just 10 minutes. Those who don't comply with the rules face a £100 Parking Charge Notice, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. The fee, designed to reduce congestion, has doubled in price over the last five years.

Bristol Airport charges £8.50 for 10 minutes, while Heathrow and Luton both charge £7 for the same time limit. Stansted is slightly more forgiving, charging £7 for 15 minutes, followed by Manchester with £6.40 for 10 minutes. Regarding fines, drivers at Bristol and Newcastle face a £100 parking charge notice, while those at Luton face a £95 charge.

London City is the newest member of the charging club, officially introducing its own fee on January 6. Because the airport is so small and space is at a premium, their pricing is designed to get cars in and out as fast as possible. A minimum charge of £8 covers the first five minutes, with an overstay fee of £1 per minute thereafter. The maximum stay is 10 minutes, at a total cost of £13, after which drivers may incur additional fines.