Passengers saying goodbye to loved ones at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports now face a stinging £7 charge just to pull up at the terminal for a few minutes. Critics have branded the airports “greedy” and accused them of treating travellers like cash cows after fees rose by up to 600 per cent in ten years.
The sharp increases at Scotland’s two busiest AGS-owned airports have sparked fury among families, taxi drivers and politicians who say the “kiss-and-fly” tax is pricing people out of quick, convenient drop-offs.
Ten-Year Price Explosion Laid Bare
Glasgow Airport charged just £1 for drop-off in 2014. Today that same brief stop costs £7, a 600 per cent jump.
Aberdeen has followed almost exactly the same pattern. Both airports raised charges again this year, Glasgow by £1 and Aberdeen by £1.50, taking them to the joint-highest level in Scotland.
Passengers now pay more to drop someone off at Glasgow or Aberdeen than at Heathrow (£5) or Manchester (£6).
Only Stansted and Luton match or exceed the £7 fee among major UK airports.
Taxi Drivers and Families Hit Hardest
Scottish Taxi Federation chairman Jim Kyle called the £7 charge “over the top”.
He told the Daily Mail: “Airports are a law unto themselves. Drivers are in and out in under a minute, yet they want seven pounds. They have been creeping it up 50p here, £1 there, and now passengers are really feeling it.”
Families with young children, elderly relatives or heavy luggage say they have no realistic alternative.
One mother from Glasgow said: “My dad has mobility problems. Getting the bus or train with suitcases and a wheelchair just isn’t practical. Now we feel punished for helping him.”
Politicians Demand Action
Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber accused the airports of using passengers as a “cash cow” while the SNP government stands by.
She said: “Public transport to our airports remains unreliable or non-existent for many. Ministers must step in and stop these endless hikes that make flying from Scotland more expensive and stressful than it needs to be.”
Edinburgh Airport, owned by different operators, still offers completely free drop-off and pick-up zones, highlighting the stark difference in approach across Scotland.
Why Airports Keep Raising Charges
AGS Airports insist the money funds essential improvements and helps cut emissions by encouraging people to use buses, trams or trains.
A spokesman said: “The charge reflects rising operational costs and supports investment in better facilities and sustainable transport links.”
Yet critics point out that public transport options remain limited, especially for early morning or late-night flights, and much of the revenue appears to go straight to profit rather than visible improvements.
Glasgow and Aberdeen together handled more than 10 million passengers last year. Even if only a quarter use the drop-off zone, the £7 fee could generate close to £20 million annually, campaigners estimate.
What Passengers Can Do Right Now
- Use the free long-stay car park and shuttle bus (takes 5-10 minutes extra but costs nothing)
- Get dropped off at nearby locations like Paisley Gilmour Street (Glasgow) or Dyce train station (Aberdeen) and take a short train or bus ride
- Book airport parking in advance, some deals include free drop-off periods
- Blue badge holders can usually drop off for free in designated areas (check airport website)
The £7 drop-off charge is yet another squeeze on household budgets at a time when many families are already counting every penny. For the simple act of waving goodbye to a loved one, Scotland’s airports now demand a price most people simply cannot believe.
What do you think, is £7 fair for a one-minute stop, or outright robbery? Let us know in the comments below.
