Posted on the 7th April 2026 in PHTM News

CABBIES HIT OUT AT EXTORTIONATE NEW £10 STANSTED DROP-OFF FEE

Taxi drivers are accusing London Stansted Airport of "pure greed" following a sharp 40% increase in drop-off charges.

On 19 March, the cost for stopping outside the terminal for less than 15 minutes jumped from £7 to £10. The fee, which did not exist before 2012, has risen steadily as the airport has grown into the UK's fourth busiest gateway.

Drivers feel they are being unfairly targeted by the price hike. Neil Godfrey, who runs a transfer business, described the new cost as "extortionate" and fears he may have to cut his fleet or raise fares for customers. 

"We're lucky if we can make £20 off this journey now, which isn't a lot of money really," Godfrey said, noting that high fuel and staff costs are already hurting his margins.

He is worried that travellers will stop using taxis altogether, adding: "People are starting to think it's cheaper to park at the airport and in our eyes that's not good because we could lose business."

While the airport recently installed a new camera-based system to speed up traffic, some drivers aren't buying the official explanation for the price rise.

Cabbie Paul Eve admitted the new tech has reduced queues but called the congestion argument a "rubbish excuse." He claimed: "It's pure greed because we're sitting ducks. I suppose they're thinking if people can afford a holiday, they can afford a few more quid at the drop-off."

The airport is currently undergoing a £1.1bn expansion and is under pressure to ensure half of its passengers use public transport.

A spokesperson for Stansted defended the fees, stating they "make an important contribution to encouraging alternative, more sustainable transport options" and help reduce "kiss and fly" car trips.

However, many taxi drivers argue that passengers expect a door-to-door service that public transport cannot always provide.

Afzaal Nasir, a driver from Chelmsford, highlighted the safety aspect of his job. "When it comes to dropping off the customer, it comes with a responsibility as well," he said. "We can't just drop them anywhere, we have to drop them off somewhere nearby and somewhere safe." 

Like many of his colleagues, Nasir believes the new pricing "doesn't make sense" but plans to pay the extra cost himself rather than charging his passengers more.


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