Airport car park layout just the ticket
Nelson Airport’s new parking system is now in place.
Wednesday marked the opening of the new gateway road to Nelson Airport and the first of its new parking areas.
As well as providing 270 new spaces, entry and exit barrier arms to the airport are now located near the Air New Zealand hangar on Trent Drive.
Airport management said the new layout, new parks and installation of new ways to pay for parking would help with traffic flow during its redevelopment
Chief executive Rob Evans said getting stage one done before Christmas had worked well from a timing perspective.
‘‘There will also be a few teething problems but it’s a great milestone for us and gives some real tangible new infrastructure to be opened up and used,’’ he said.
Marketing and business development manager Sally Russ said the long term carpark would remain open, as would most of the old main carpark for the next three weeks to allow for the influx of visitors during the Christmas period.
‘‘It’s very exciting for everyone but obviously we’re into the busy time now,’’ Russ said.
She had spent time helping acquaint visitors with the new layout and technology and had been pleased with the initial response from users.
Motorists can now use Paywave or credit card at the barrier arms on their way in and out of the airport. Alternatively, they can take a ticket and pay at the paystation outside the terminal using EFTPOS, credit card or cash.
The first 20 minutes of parking is now free – an increase on the 15 minutes previously allowed – with $1.50 per hour thereafter up to a daily maximum of $10.
The $32 million airport redevelopment project, which started in May this year, remained on schedule to be finished by the middle of next year.