The airport announced plans for the scheme in October last year but now bosses have confirmed the charge will be introduced from March 8. The charge is set to be extended to the South Terminal in the future. Bosses said the scheme will cut traffic congestion and emissions as well as being a deterrent for a car-led recovery when more regular travel resumes. Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It is no secret that the airport is going through the most difficult period in its history and we have little choice but to explore new revenue streams that will us help us recover from the COVID-19 crisis and continue as an important provider of economic prosperity and jobs across the region. “This new scheme will also encourage passengers to consider more sustainable transport options, including taking advantage of our excellent public transport services. “We plan to use this charge to build on these services by using a proportion of the revenue raised to support new sustainable transport initiatives, in addition to our ongoing project to build a new £150 million airport train station which is progressing well.” Anyone who doesn’t want to pay the £5 charge will be able to drop off of pick up passengers in the airport’s long stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Alternatively passengers can use public transport to get to the airport. By encouraging other forms of journey to the airport, the charge will help Gatwick continue to meet its commitment to reduce ‘Kiss and Fly’ - the least sustainable type of journey to the airport as it involves two return car journeys – and may contribute to a reduction in traffic at Gatwick and surrounding local areas, an airport spokesman said. In 2019 around 15 per cent of airport journeys were ‘Kiss and Fly’. Reducing the airport’s environmental impact continues to be an important focus and Gatwick will make a contribution from the revenue into Gatwick’s existing Sustainable Transport Fund. The charge will be £5 for 10 minutes, and £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes. The maximum charge will be £25 and the maximum length of stay 30 mins. The charging system and enforcement will be managed using convenient barrier free technology and by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, the airport said. Passengers using the system will be able to pay online using a range of payment methods including credit or debit card, Google and Apple Pay. Marshals will also be on hand in the forecourts to assist passengers. National Car Parks (EUK) Ltd has been appointed Gatwick’s operations partner on forecourt charging and will support all of the payment and penalty notice process for the scheme. Blue badge holders will be able to access the forecourt free of charge by registering their details up to three months in advance before arriving at the airport. When the charge is introduced for the South Terminal, at a later date, local commuters living within a limited number of postcode sectors close to the airport (RH6 0, RH6 9, RH11 0) with no public transport access will be allowed two visits per day to use the train station by paying an annual £50 charge. A Red Route system is being introduced across the airport campus to indicate that stopping to park, load or unload, board or alight from a vehicle is prohibited. Revenue raised through Red Route fines will also be used to fund sustainable transport initiatives under the guidance of the airport’s Transport Steering Group, which includes external representatives from local authorities and transport operators. For more information on Gatwick’s forecourt charging system please visit www.gatwickairport.com/dropoff