Drop-off charge aims to reduce congestion, emissions, and support sustainable travel at London City Airport.
London City Airport (LCY) will introduce a drop-off charge for all vehicles by the end of the year, bringing it into line with all other major UK airports, which already operate similar schemes. Blue badge holders will be exempt from the fee.
The charge will help London City Airport meet its wider sustainability goals by reducing the number of vehicles travelling to and from the airport, supporting efforts to lower congestion, reduce emissions and improve air quality in the surrounding area. This will comprise one of the measures that the airport is employing to move towards the Mayor’s target of 80% of journeys by walking, cycling or public transport by 2041.
Located in the heart of East London, London City Airport is the most centrally located airport in the capital and the closest for over half of all Londoners – making it the quickest, easiest and most affordable to reach.
More than two-thirds of passengers already travel via public and sustainable transport, such as the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) – the highest percentage of any UK airport – with only around 10% using a car.
As part of London City’s sustainability and transport strategy the airport works very closely with Transport for London (TfL) to improve ease of access and contributed to the cost of production of the new state-of-the-art fleet of DLR trains, which are being rolled out on the line.
Prior to the charge being introduced on licensed taxis (black cabs), Transport for London (TfL) will conduct its annual public consultation on fares and within that will include a proposal from London City that the drop-off charge is formally included in the meter, in line with TfL’s agreement with other major London airports, meaning black cab drivers will not bear the cost of the charge.
Earlier this month, the airport was named “Best Airport in the UK” at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, following recent recognition as “London’s Best Airport” by both The Daily Telegraph and Which?
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