NPL Airport to offer 2 hours free parking

The New Plymouth airport will allow drivers to use its public car park for up to two hours free from February 1.

The airport has revoked its earlier policy of offering the first 20 minutes free and then applying charges.

Airport Chief Executive, David Scott, says the dropping of charges for the first two hours stems from three main factors.

“The airport acknowledges air travel is still recovering from the effects of covid, past and ongoing, plus more extreme weather events which is putting pressure on the flying experience. Travelling now takes a bit more time than before the pandemic, so we want to make this as easy as possible for our customers.”

Scott says travellers and their supporters sometimes need extra time to sort their journey out.

“If we can help the traveller by alleviating a pressure point like parking then we feel we can aid the industry.”

He says aligned to this is the necessity to keep the forecourt area in front of the airport available for people to drop off travellers. Scott says he hopes the incentive of free parking will keep the bulk of traffic away from the airport’s drop-off zone.

“While the road area directly in front of the airport is available to drop off and pick up the bias is heavily in favour of dropping off. Those intent on travelling must be able to access the departure area, meet check-in demands and make the flights they have purchased.  ”

Also, Scott says the airport as an iconic feature of Taranaki played its part in the decision to offer 120 minutes of free parking.

“The airport is an award-winning asset of Taranaki, and we feel people should be able to visit and enjoy the amenities on offer including great viewing areas, inside and out, to watch the arrival and departure of aircraft. We also have a fantastic café, so we are encouraging people to come and enjoy it. ”

Meanwhile, reflecting inflationary pressures, the charge for longer-term parking will rise on the first of February. For instance, the daily charge, for a stay of seven hours up to one day, increases from $16 to $20. New charges are listed below: