Gatwick looks at "drop off" revenue for its recovery

LONDON - Gatwick airport will introduce a charge for vehicles using the forecourt to drop off passengers directly outside its terminals.

The revenue raised with the new fee "will help the airport continue its recovery from the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis," the airport said. Currently, cars are permitted to drop off passengers directly in front of both terminals.

By 2021 a "£5 charge will be introduced for vehicles using the forecourt," according to the airport. "Anyone who does not wish to pay the charge will be able to drop-off or pick-up passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals."

Gatwick is looking at solutions to allow those who regularly drop off and pick up at the South Terminal each day to access to the train station to make a token annual payment contribution.