Key Points
- Glasgow Airport has increased its drop-off charge from £6 to £7 for up to 15 minutes.
- Aberdeen Airport has also raised its fee from £5.50 to £7 for the same duration.
- AGS Airports cites rising costs as the reason for the hikes, effective from Tuesday.
- Local MP has expressed outrage over the Glasgow increase, calling it burdensome for passengers.
- Free long-stay parking options remain available at both airports, about a 10-minute walk from terminals.
Clydebank (Glasgow Express) February 5, 2026 – A local MP has voiced strong outrage over Glasgow Airport’s decision to raise its drop-off charge to £7 for 15 minutes, up from £6.
The increase, implemented by operator AGS Airports alongside a similar hike at Aberdeen Airport, has drawn criticism amid broader rises in UK airport fees. Drivers face premium charges for overstaying the allotted time at the terminal forecourt.
Why have Glasgow and Aberdeen airports raised drop-off fees?
AGS Airports, which manages both Glasgow and Aberdeen, announced the changes due to escalating operational costs. The new £7 fee applies from Tuesday for express drop-off zones directly outside the terminals, allowing stays of up to 15 minutes.
According to The Independent, previous charges stood at £6 in Glasgow and £5.50 in Aberdeen, marking a sharp 27 per cent jump at the latter. GB News reports drivers slamming the hikes as rip-off prices affecting thousands of travellers.
As reported by Hemma Visavadia of GB News, the rises coincide with similar increases at other UK airports, including Edinburgh’s £6 fee for 10 minutes introduced last year.
What are passengers and experts saying about the charges?
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, described Aberdeen’s increase as excessive and unjustified, hitting passengers and businesses hard. He called for a £3 cap on drop-off fees and greater transparency.
Euronews highlights the trend as a national disgrace, noting continental European airports often keep drop-offs free or low-cost, while UK sites like Gatwick now charge £10.
How do alternatives like long-stay parking work?
Glasgow Airport offers free parking in its long-stay car park for up to one hour, less than a 10-minute walk from the terminal or accessible by free shuttle. Similar options exist at Aberdeen to avoid the express fees.
What could this mean for travellers and future fees?
The hikes aim to bolster airport competitiveness and attract new routes, per AGS statements, while encouraging public transport use to cut emissions and congestion. Critics argue they penalise drivers without sufficient justification.
With multiple UK airports adjusting fees this year, including Bristol at £8.50 and London City introducing an £8 charge, passengers may face ongoing pressure to seek cost-effective alternatives.
