Passengers being dropped off at Heathrow Airport will face a significant new financial and time pressure from the start of the new year. A £7 charge for using the terminal forecourts will be introduced on Thursday, January 1, 2026, accompanied by a strict maximum stay of just ten minutes.
New Heathrow Drop-Off Rules and Payment Details
The increased fee applies every single time a vehicle enters one of the designated drop-off zones located directly outside the terminals. Drivers will have the option to pay for a single visit or to pre-pay for multiple visits online or via telephone. Payment cannot be made at ticket machines or within the drop-off areas themselves.
Crucially, if payment is not made in advance, it must be completed by midnight on the day after using the drop-off zone. The airport has also reinforced that vehicles must not be left unattended, warning that any cars left alone will be removed by the police. Re-entering the zone, even on the same trip, counts as a new visit and triggers another £7 charge.
Strict Enforcement and Industry Concerns
Failure to pay the new Heathrow Airport drop-off fee will result in an £80 Parking Charge Notice (PCN). This penalty will be reduced to £40 if it is settled within 14 days of issue.
The taxi industry has expressed serious concerns about the additional ten-minute time constraint. Groups like Taxi Point warn that the limit is difficult to manage for passengers with heavy luggage, mobility issues, or young families who may need extra time at the kerbside. Drivers also highlight that congestion on approaches to the terminals during peak hours can eat into the limited ten-minute window, putting them at risk of overstay charges.
Heathrow's Justification for the Changes
Heathrow Airport has consistently defended such charges, arguing they are necessary to manage congestion around its busy terminals and to support broader environmental objectives. The airport states that the fees encourage greater use of public transport, such as the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line, or buses, for access to the airport.
While this rationale aligns with policies seen at other major UK airports, taxi drivers and private hire operators contend that the charges disproportionately impact their trade, for whom direct access to terminal forecourts is central to their business model and service offering.
