A REVIEW into airport drop-off charges is getting underway.
The move has been welcomed by Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper, who has criticised the fees as 'rip-off' rates which unfairly impact travellers.
The Department for Transport has confirmed it will assess the charges to ensure passengers are treated fairly and travel remains accessible.
Mr Cooper, the Labour MP for Mid Cheshire, said: "This is an issue I have been raising for quite some time, and I am pleased these charges are now coming under the microscope.
"Many of my constituents from Winsford, Northwich, and Middlewich are met with these charges whenever they fly from the likes of Manchester and have experienced steep hikes over a relatively short period of time.
"I accept that airports needed to control congestion, but charges should be fair and proportionate, especially where passengers have no realistic alternative."
In some cases, passengers are charged more than £10 for just a few minutes of parking, with fees at major airports rising by about a third since summer 2025.
Mr Cooper said he regularly hears from constituents frustrated by the rising costs, and he previously raised the issue in the House of Commons during discussions on the Aviation Bill.
He also submitted a parliamentary question last year to the transport secretary about discussions with Manchester Airport regarding its drop-off and pick-up charges.
At the time, Keir Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, responded that while UK airports operate as private businesses, the Department for Transport expects car parking to be 'managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly'.
Following the announcement of the review, Mr Cooper said he supports the Government’s position and Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for airports to show restraint, especially where public transport options are limited.
More details of the review will be announced by the Government in due course.
He welcomed the review as a step towards ensuring airport fees remain reasonable and fair for all travellers.
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