Taxi drivers have slammed Gatwick Airport and NCP over what they call “extortionate” parking charges that are driving small operators out of business and pushing up fares for passengers.
According to drivers working around the airport, recent increases in short-stay and drop-off parking rates managed by National Car Parks (NCP), have made it almost impossible to operate affordably. Some cabbies say they now pay more in parking than they earn from a single short fare.
“We’re just trying to earn a living”
One local driver told The Argus that he now pays up to £6 for just 20 minutes of waiting time at the Gatwick North Terminal, with longer stays quickly climbing to £10 or more.
“It’s daylight robbery. We’re just trying to earn a living, but every minute we wait costs us money,” said another driver, who has been serving Gatwick passengers for over a decade.
Many cab drivers feel they are being unfairly targeted compared to private hire firms or delivery drivers, who can often pass the cost directly to customers. Independent taxis, on the other hand, have to absorb these rising costs or risk losing passengers by raising fares.
“The airport is cashing in on every minute”
NCP introduced new short-stay charges at Gatwick earlier this year, following a pattern seen at other UK airports like Heathrow, Stansted, and Manchester, where drop-off fees and short-stay parking have become a growing source of revenue.
But drivers argue that Gatwick’s system is particularly unfair. They point out that delays, flight schedule changes, and passenger waiting times are beyond their control yet they still end up footing the bill.
“Sometimes a flight lands late or a family takes longer to collect their luggage,” explained another cabbie. “That’s not our fault. But if we’re parked for 30 minutes, we lose half our fare.”
Local communities and businesses hit too
The issue doesn’t just affect taxi drivers. Local businesses and residents around Crawley and Horley have also complained that high airport parking fees have pushed more taxis into nearby residential streets while waiting for fares leading to congestion and complaints from locals.
Small taxi firms have warned that the fees could force some drivers to avoid Gatwick altogether, making it harder for travellers to find transport during peak times, especially late at night or during holidays.
Calls for fairer policies
Taxi associations and unions are now urging Gatwick Airport and NCP to introduce a dedicated waiting area or discounted permits for licensed drivers. Similar schemes exist at Heathrow and Birmingham airports, where approved taxi operators can wait at reduced rates until passengers are ready for pick-up.
So far, Gatwick Airport has defended the charges, saying they are necessary to manage congestion and fund infrastructure improvements. NCP has not commented directly on the criticism.
But drivers remain unconvinced.
“We’re not asking for free parking,” said one driver. “We just want something fair — a system that lets us work without being penalised every time a flight is delayed.”
The Bigger Picture
Across the UK, airport taxi drivers face mounting pressure as parking and drop-off fees soar, sometimes outpacing inflation. While airports argue these charges help reduce congestion and environmental impact, drivers say the real result is higher fares for passengers and growing frustration for those trying to make an honest living.
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