The Business Travel Association (BTA) has written to Heathrow Airport to voice its anger about a rise in the drop-off charge from January 2025.
Heathrow will increase its the charge from £5 to £6 in the new year. The 20% increase follows previous price hikes in 2024.
Clive Wratten, BTA CEO, said: “This increase cannot be justified as a sustainability measure or as an alignment with other airports’ practices. It is a blatant raid on travellers’ wallets, disproportionately affecting business, solo, and female travellers.
“We will be urging our members to look beyond Heathrow to save money on corporate travel and discourage other airports from following suit.”In its letter, the BTA predicts additional revenue for parking to exceed £35.2 million in the year ahead. This number accounts for only a 50% use of the drop-off option.
The BTA said the charges are placing an undue burden on business travellers and the wider travelling public.
It argues that while free park-and-ride options exist at Heathrow, they are often impractical for time-sensitive business travellers
The BTA is seeking a meeting with Heathrow leadership to address its concerns.
