SA airports reduce long term parking tariffs for holiday season

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Depending on the parking area used, tariffs for stays of longer than seven days would normally be in excess of R1,000. The parking offers, however, excludes the use of the Piazza and Premium parking at O. R. Tambo International Airport and the pick-up facilities at any of the four airports.

Bookings are not required for the peak period and the offer is subject to availability of parking bays, however, the normal process of taking a ticket at the parking entry booms will apply.

Airport systems have been programmed to calculate the special offer for those parking for longer than seven days. Credit cards can be used at all nine airports owned and managed by Airports Company South Africa. Queries can be resolved at the parking office at each airport.

Managing parking availability

Refentse Shinners, Group Executive at Corporate Affairs, at Airports Company South Africa says that typically business travellers are the heaviest users of airport parking during the year. "We are able to make this offer because a greater number of bays is available during the peak holiday season and the need to manage the availability of parking is reduced.

"While we invite everyone flying out on holiday to take us up on the offer, the parking offer is open to all and we believe that this special parking offer will be most attractive to people who travel longer distances to airports, who are not served by public transport and who would generally prefer to be able to travel directly from home to the airport," says Shinner.

"Airport parking is covered, and vehicles are safe from weather damage. CCTV cameras remain in operation in our parking areas which are patrolled by security staff."

Shinners says that Airports Company South Africa assessments in recent years have shown that airport parking becomes a key concern for families and people travelling groups.

"We have come to understand that it is often not a simple matter to arrange transport or get someone to drop you off if you are travelling with a family or departing on early or late flights; we for this reason, have taken the liberty to provide the passenger with this option.

"For families on a budget, airport parking can be a concern especially when parking over long periods. We hope that this offer will help people manage their expenses and enjoy their holidays to the fullest," concludes Shinner.

Where to get the parking special offer at each airport:

O. R. Tambo International Airport:

All parking areas with the exception of the Piazza, the Pick-up and Premium. The basement at Parkade 1, all of Parkade 2 North and South can be used and enjoy the benefit of the special prices. This means that all levels of Parkade 2 including the minus 1 and pre-booked will enjoy the same rates.

Cape Town International Airport:

Only the pick-up facility will not enjoy this special parking offer.

All other areas will enjoy the special rates: Parkade 1, Parkade 2, Shade Parking P3, Shade Parking P4 and Long Stay P5.

King Shaka International Airport:

With the exception of the pick-up facility, the special rates will apply to the multi-storey Parkade, the Shade parking and the Long Stay area.

Port Elizabeth International Airport:

With the exception of the pick-up lane, the special applies to the shade area, open area and the long-term parking facility.