Bristol Airport Car/Plane Parking

Drop & Go Car Parking

Since 2022 the charge for "Drop & Go" parking at Bristol Airport has increased by 750% (from £1 to £8.50). This is for 10 minutes parking.

24 Hour Plane Parking

Since 2022 the parking charge for a 50 Tonne Plane at Bristol Airport has increased by 16.7% from (£87.90 to £102.59). This is for 24 hours of parking (the first 90 minutes are free).

From 2022 to 2025 the inflation rate was 14.5%

Bristol Airport blame the increase in Drop & Go charges to the Pandemic, increased National Insurance, and Business Rate increases announced by Rachel Reeves.

Why aren't the airlines contributing towards these increases in costs and pandemic losses?

Bristol Airport Business Model

You might assume that Bristol Airport is in the business of flying people from A to B. But in reality they are primarily in the car parking business.

These are the figures for 2024:

Car parking (≈37%) – on-site parking charges and pre-booked parking.
Aeronautical charges (≈34%) – fees to airlines/passengers for using the runway/terminal (landing, parking, passenger charges).
Concessions (≈26%) – revenue share/fees from shops, food & beverage, car hire, etc.
Other (≈3%) – smaller items grouped as “other revenue.”

In 2024, Bristol Airport reported £203.8m total turnover: £75.6m car park, £69.3m aeronautical, £52.1m concessions, £6.8m other. That’s how the money’s made, with non-aero (parking + concessions + other) slightly bigger than aero.

Drop & Go Charges History

Drop off change increased from £1 to £5

Airports hike 'kiss and fly' charges - 3 May 2022

A Bristol Airport spokesperson said: "Like other UK airports, Bristol Airport has been significantly impacted by the pandemic and the [Drop & Go] price increase is a commercial decision to reduce financial losses."

Drop off charge increased from £5 to £6

Increased airport drop-off charges 'ridiculous' - 16 July 2024

"A spokesperson for trade body Airports UK said: "Non-aeronautical income such as drop-off fees allow airports to keep charges to airlines low and to invest in sustainable transport options, benefiting travellers through lower air fares and increased connectivity."

Customers dispute 'greedy' airport parking fines - 11 Oct 2024

After dropping his son off for a flight, and paying £6 for a parking ticket, Mr Allum was loading directions on his phone when it fell from its holding bracket and slipped under the seat.

He says he pulled over in a "large empty space" outside the car park barriers to retrieve it, believing it to be the safest option, but he was fined £185.

"It was an emergency stop. It wouldn't have been safe to drive with a phone under my feet," he said.

Drop off charge increased from £6 to £7

Bristol Airport parking fees will rise for second year - 27 Feb 2025

The airport said the increase was necessary to cover the increasing costs of National Insurance rates for employers.

Drop off charge increased from £7 to £8.50

Bristol Airport drop-off charges to increase - 2 Jan 2026

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget, which it said would see the airport's business rates bill significantly increase.