Limousine rank at airport first in country
VISITORS disembarking from flights at Dunedin Airport for the first time will now have the impression money grows on trees in the South, after the introduction of a new limousine rank at the front door of the facility.
It is the first airport in New Zealand to have dedicated parking spaces for limousines.
XJ and XF Jaguars from Classic Jaguar Limousines, 7series BMWs from Airport Limousines Dunedin and a Mercedes Benz Eclass from Preston Black had their own parking spaces opened outside the airport yesterday after changes to transport sector licensing.
Classic Jaguar Limousines managing director Steve McNulty said the initiative was in response to the growth of Dunedin Airport, which recorded one million passengers passing through for the first time last year.
He said the three Dunedin limousine companies were sharing their resources in a bid to give a better transport service to and from the airport.
‘‘We’ll target the busy times at the airport. But in saying that, for a good part of the day, there will be a car on the rank.
‘‘When there’s big events on like the Ed Sheeran concert, we will certainly have big resources out there.’’
The luxury chauffeured limousines would give airport passengers an opportunity to indulge themselves and were perfect for travellers visiting Dunedin for a special event, Mr McNulty said.
‘‘It gives a nice touch to the city, walking out of the airport building and seeing lovely European luxury cars.
‘‘We see this as an extra addon that gives us the option of better utilising our resources and also provides a service that will make Dunedin stand out for travellers.
‘‘The big airports overseas like Sydney have limousine ranks, but it’s not something you would normally see in a city of our size.’’
He said the service was already proving popular.
‘‘The ambience when you get inside is much better because it’s all leather, they have air suspension so they ride very nicely like a true limousine, and there is complimentary bottled water.’’