One more month before passengers face £5 Heathrow drop-off charge

‘Non-payment will result in an £80 Parking Charge Notice (PCN), reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days’

Drop zone: a terminal forecourt at Heathrow (Simon Calder)

As Heathrow seeks to stem its massive losses during the coronavirus pandemic, it will become the latest UK airport to impose a drop-off charge.

From 1 November 2021, all vehicles – except some taxis – entering Heathrow terminal drop-off zones will pay a £5 fee at any time of the day or night.

Until March 2020, Heathrow was by far the busiest airport in Europe. Today, it is battling to be in the top 10, as the UK continues to impose the most stringent travel restrictions in Europe.

The airport says: “The airport has been severely impacted by the pandemic and this charge will enable us to continue to invest in congestion-reducing surface access projects and to protect jobs at Heathrow.

“The scheme aims to prevent a car-led recovery and reduce airport-related traffic. Income from this charge will contribute towards new sustainable transport initiatives at the airport, with additional revenue helping to lower overall airport charges.

“The £5 charge applies to each visit. You can pay your £5 charge in advance, on the day you drop-off, or by midnight the next day.”

There are no barriers: the system uses automatic number plate recognition.

“Non-payment will result in an £80 Parking Charge Notice (PCN), reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days,” the airport warns.

Black cabs that are actively licensed with London Taxi and Private Hire are exempt, but all other taxis and private hire vehicles – such as Uber – must pay.

Free drop-offs will be available at the airport’s own long stay car parks, which are some distance from the terminals, with a free bus transfer.

“Follow road signs towards Remote drop-off and Long Stay,” Heathrow advises. “Our car parks remain open, where normal parking charges apply.”

The drop-off charge does not affect passenger pick-ups, which will continue to take place via the car parks. You cannot pick up passengers from the drop-off zones.

Travellers holding a valid UK or European Economic Area Blue badge are eligible to apply for a 100 per cent discount for the vehicle they are being dropped off in.

Passengers travelling to and from central London can usually save one-third on the drop-off charge alone by taking the Piccadilly Line of the Tube.

A journey from anywhere in Zone 1 to Heathrow costs £3.30 with contactless payment or an Oyster card – with a £2 surcharge between 6.30am and 9.30am from Monday to Friday.

The cash fare on the Underground is £6 at any time.

The trip between Piccadilly Circus in central London and BA’s home at Heathrow Terminal 5 is scheduled to take just under an hour.

Plans for a “Heathrow Ultra-Low Emissions Zone” and a “Heathrow Vehicle Access Charge” have been dropped.

Gatwick was the last to introduce a charge, earlier this year.