Key Points
- Glasgow Airport charges £6 for up to 15 minutes in the drop-off zone, with £1 per additional minute up to 30 minutes and £50 thereafter.
- Aberdeen Airport charges £5.50 for up to 15 minutes in the drop-off zone, followed by £1 per minute and a £50 flat rate after 30 minutes.
- These fees reflect ongoing rises in UK airport drop-off charges at the start of 2026 amid increasing operational costs.
- Alternative free drop-off options exist at long-stay car parks with shuttle services at both airports.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 2, 2026 – Glasgow and Aberdeen airports have implemented passenger drop-off charges as part of widespread increases across UK airports in 2026.
Motorists now face £6 at Glasgow for up to 15 minutes and £5.50 at Aberdeen for the same duration, according to reports from travel and aviation sources tracking forecourt fees.
What Are the New Drop-Off Charges at Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports?
At Glasgow International Airport, the drop-off zone levies £6 for stays up to 15 minutes, £1 for each minute thereafter until 30 minutes, and a £50 flat charge beyond that, as detailed in guides to 2026 UK airport fees. Aberdeen International Airport applies £5.50 for the first 15 minutes, £1 per additional minute, and £50 after 30 minutes, with card-only payments required.
According to ITV News, these structures align with broader UK trends where airports have raised fees amid rising business rates and recovery from past disruptions.
Why Have UK Airports Raised Drop-Off Fees in 2026?
Airports cite escalating costs, including a more than doubling of business rates, as the primary driver for fee hikes, with changes effective from April 2026 affecting operations nationwide.
How Do These Fees Compare to Other UK Airports?
Glasgow’s £6 and Aberdeen’s £5.50 remain below the UK’s highest, such as Gatwick’s £10 for 10 minutes, Heathrow’s £7, and Bristol’s £8.50, per comprehensive lists of current charges. Provincial airports like Leeds Bradford charge £7, while long-stay alternatives offer free drop-offs with shuttles at Glasgow, Aberdeen, and others.
What Alternatives Exist for Motorists Avoiding Drop-Off Fees?
Both Glasgow and Aberdeen provide free drop-off for up to one hour in long-stay car parks, followed by a shuttle bus to terminals, alongside exemptions for blue badge holders with extra time allowances. Short-stay parking options incur higher rates for longer waits, encouraging use of these free zones to bypass forecourt charges.
Travel experts recommend planning ahead to utilise these options and avoid fines for overstays or repeat entries.
