Newcastle Airport introduces car park changes | poll

The changes include renaming all of the car parks, changes to the parking rates and installing a guidance system to assist passengers and visitors with parking availability. 

Under the new system, “Platinum” car park will become “Premium”, “Gold” and “Silver 3” will become “Short Stay”, “Silver 1” and “Silver 2” will become “Long Stay” and “Bronze” will become “Long Stay Saver”.

Among the rate changes is an increase from $32 a day for “Platinum” parking to $35 a day under “Premium”, while “Gold” will revert to $5 an hour for the first five hours and then a $31 flat rate a day under “Short Stay”.

A Newcastle Airport spokeswoman said it was the first rate increase at the airport in five years. 

“We are constantly working to improve the experience for all who visit Newcastle Airport,” a statement on the Newcastle Airport website says.

“The new changes to car parking will provide a clearer understanding of transport choices and car parking options allowing you to make the best choice for your travel plans and budget.”

The spokeswoman said the changes to the largest parking area, which is for those parking for less than two hours, were an attempt to provide more capacity at peak times. “We've also been undergoing work to add just over 50 new spaces to Long Stay Saver,” the spokeswoman said. “Weather permitting these will be available this week.” The car park guidance system will inform passengers of how many spaces are available in each car park as they enter the airport precinct, the spokeswoman said. The changes come in the wake of strong monthly passenger figures for the airport. The airport recorded 89,926 passengers during February this year, the most in five years and a 12 per cent increase on February, 2015.

In April, the airport registered 95,260 passengers, slightly up on the same time last year. But overall, annual passenger numbers have plateaued in the past few years after reaching 1.198 million in 2013.