Drivers dropping family or friends off at Gatwick will now have to pay more to see them off as the airport announces new price hikes.

It will now cost at least £6 to use the designated drop off areas in the North and South Terminals - an increase of £1 from the current £5 fee.

This comes as part of a climate aim for 60 per cent of journeys to and from the airport to be zero or ultra-low emissions by 2030.

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A spokesman for Gatwick Airport added: "This will also enable us to continue to invest in sustainable alternatives, such as the recent doubling of the Gatwick-Reading train service and the Metrobus hydrogen fleet."

The long stay car parks will remain free for up to two hours, with a shuttle bus running to and from the main terminal.

But not everyone is happy with the price hike. Driver Matt Taylor called it "disgusting". He added: "Another tax on the motorist. Gatwick should be ashamed."

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The charge was introduced after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021to recover some of the money lost over the past years of low passenger usage.

Stacey McLaren said: "This will NOT reduce traffic flow , encourage people to use public transport or reduce emissions.

"If reducing emissions was truly a reason 100% electric vehicles would be exempt. Just another way to take money because you can."