New Airport Parking Bid Is Grounded

Image via Wikipedia

DUBLIN Airport bosses have successfully stalled plans for a massive private car park near the terminal.
Park Developments, a major construction company, had wanted to build the car park on a stud farm in North Dublin.

Fingal County Council had given the company permission for the plan, which would have seen 2,715 car park spaces built on land at Old Stockhole Lane in Cloghran.
But the DAA, which runs Dublin Airport, appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala, citing an infringement of its property rights.

Get An Airport Parking Quote Today

And the board agreed with the DAA's objections, ruling that the project could not go ahead.
The airport argued the proposed upgrade of Old Stockhole Lane, which formed part of the plan, "may require the use of a portion of DAA-owned lands".

"This would constitute an infringement of DAA's property rights and therefore the subject proposal may not be implementable from a legal point of view in the absence of our consent," the DAA stated.
The planners stated that, due to the slower growth in passenger numbers through the airport, there is a "reduced need for additional parking facilities".

SLASHED

It stated it was "not satisfied" additional long-term parking was "either necessary or appropriate".
The proposed development "would tend to create traffic congestion, militate against the use of public road transport and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The falling demand for parking at the hub was highlighted earlier this year when parking rates were temporarily slashed.

The DAA, which operates about 21,000 parking spaces at the airport, cut the price of long-term parking in half as a response to a reduction in the fee charged by private operator QuickPark.
QuickPark, which has 3,500 spaces on a 29-acre site close to the airport, cut its charge to €5 a day from €7.50 daily.

The fee was introduced in March for online bookings, prompting a response from the DAA. Competition between car park operators at Dublin airport has intensified as passenger traffic has declined.

Car parks have been a lucrative business for the DAA over the past decade as passenger numbers soared in line with economic growth. Last year, it was revealed that the DAA earned €52m in 2007 from its car parks in Dublin, Cork and Shannon. This was roughly 8pc of the DAA's overall turnover.
Dublin airport is believed to account for about 75pc of the DAA's car parking revenue.

comurphy@herald.ie

- Cormac Murphy

Related articles by Zemanta

• I'm sooooo confused... (momblognetwork.com)
• Saskatoon airport opens park-and-wait lot (cbc.ca)
• AA Gets The Hump Over 'Excessive' Schemes (news.sky.com)
• Recession brings shorter queues on UK roads (guardian.co.uk)

Some airport parking welcomes E-ZPass

Image via Wikipedia

By Linda Loyd

Inquirer Staff Writer

E-ZPass, the world's largest electronic toll system, is now at airports near you - including parking lots at Atlantic City International Airport.

Get A Quote For Heathrow Airport Parking

You can also use E-ZPass to pay for parking at five other airports: Newark, N.J.; and John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Albany, and Syracuse, all in New York.
But not Philadelphia International Airport. Yet.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which operates parking at the Philadelphia airport, is scheduled to meet tomorrow with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to discuss putting E-ZPass in some parking-toll lanes at the airport here.

"We actually are looking at it," said authority spokeswoman Linda Miller.
Rina Cutler, deputy mayor for transportation, said she had spoken with the Delaware River Port Authority about "how we might pull this off."

"The Parking Authority is willing and would love to," Cutler said last week. "Yes, we do want it."
Using E-ZPass to pay highway and bridge tolls is an option in 14 states from Maine to Virginia and west through Illinois. About 25 toll agencies, such as turnpike commissions and port authorities, have a combined 11 million E-ZPass account holders with 19 million transponder boxes in vehicles.
The Atlantic City airport, which serves about 1.2 million passengers a year, began offering E-ZPass - dubbed E-ZPass Plus - in June 2008.

"We did it for the convenience of our customers," said Joel Falk, director of information and toll technology at the South Jersey Transportation Authority. The authority operates the Atlantic City Expressway, which was the first toll road in New Jersey that, in November 1998, tested and used E-ZPass technology.
"It was a logical progression to offer it in our airport," Falk said. The authority also offers E-ZPass Plus at a parking garage and a surface lot in Atlantic City.

"I fly out of this airport all the time, and E-ZPass is very convenient," said Brian O'Donnell from Ocean City, N.J., who was headed last week from the Atlantic City airport to Orlando with his niece Megan O'Donnell of Philadelphia.

"Philadelphia International should definitely get it," said Megan, 23. "They need it."
Frank and Betty Stepniak of Cape May said E-ZPass at the airport saved time. The couple flew from Atlantic City to Dallas, with a connection in Atlanta. "It's quick, and you don't have to worry about having cash when you leave the airport," said Frank Stepniak. "Definitely, it's a good thing."
Here is how E-ZPass Plus works at the Atlantic City airport:

Motorists take a ticket when entering the parking garage or lot. When exiting - if the E-ZPass tag is affixed to the windshield - an overhead antenna at the cashier booth scans the tag, just as for road and bridge tolls.
The driver inserts the parking ticket into a reader at the tollbooth and pushes a purple button to select E-ZPass Plus, takes a receipt, and the gate opens. If E-ZPass customers prefer to pay with cash or a credit card at the exit lane, they still can.

"Albany was the first airport with E-ZPass Plus in 2001. The most recent was Syracuse," said James Crawford, executive director of the E-ZPass Inter Agency Group in Atlantic City. "We are expecting Washington Dulles and Reagan National airports will be next."

At public airports, the agency collecting the toll receives 12.5 cents per parking transaction. The toll agency also receives a 2.5 percent credit-card-processing fee per transaction to cover costs.

"There are additional items that have to be covered, and how those are covered is based on the agreement between the host, like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the airport - who pays for the communication line to send the information back and forth, who pays for the equipment, installs and maintains the equipment," Crawford said.

Until recently, people who signed up for E-ZPass with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission could not use it to pay for parking at the five New York and New Jersey airports. But after getting software to process parking fees, the commission notified customers last month that as of Nov. 1, they were automatically enrolled in E-ZPass Plus.

"Now that we have the capability, the Philadelphia Parking Authority contacted us and wants to discuss it," Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spokesman William Capone said.

Parking fees less than $20 are deducted from the customer's prepaid E-ZPass account. Parking fees of $20 or more are charged directly to the credit card used to replenish the E-ZPass account. In either case, the transaction is reflected on the monthly E-ZPass statement.

The advantage to airports is that E-ZPass allows them to clear parking faster during peak periods, Crawford said. His group manages the regulations under which the 14 E-ZPass states and 25 toll agencies operate.
"Eventually, airports can reduce staffing," Crawford said. "Most airports have been unwilling at the beginning to not put anybody in those booths for fear that somebody pulls up and does not have E-ZPass Plus, and the gate does not open. Eventually, airports can have one person for three or four E-ZPass booths."
Anything airports do not like?

"They don't like paying anybody extra," he said. "They also don't like waiting for their money. We only guarantee that they will get payment once a month. Frequently, they are able to get weekly settlements, or every two weeks, depending on the agreement they reach with the toll agency. These are all wire transfers."

---

Contact staff writer Linda Loyd at 215-854-2831 or lloyd@phillynews.com.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Another Upside to E-ZPass: Healthier Babies (blogs.wsj.com)
• Holiday travelers brave airports, roads (cnn.com)
• Southwest Once Again Grows in Denver (flightwisdom.com)
• Help Predict Airport Flight Delays & Save Time With Flightcaster (makeuseof.com)

How to Obtain Cheaper Prices From Off Airport Parking Car Parks?

Image via Wikipedia

Parking at an airport is obviously the most expensive way to park and we will take it as a given that off airport car parks by their very nature will always be cheaper and concentrate on how to obtain cheaper parking from off airport car parks.

Get A Gatwick Airport Parking Quote

To obtain cheaper airport parking you first have to understand how off airport car parks work. Every car park has limited space and they are all looking to maximise their space and do this they may even have to drop their prices on certain days to achieve this, which at first seems like an odd thing to do.

Let me first take you back before the time of computers and the internet to give you a feel of how systems have been developed. Airport car parks originally used to advertise in local newspapers or if at one of the bigger airports such as Heathrow or Gatwick in the national newspapers.

Upon a customer telephoning they would send out a brochure enclosing a price list with prices for the winter season running from November to March and summer April to October with blanket hikes in price for certain months covering school holidays and bank holidays such as Christmas and New Year.

As you can see the problem for the off airport car operator, it was difficult to contact customers and having done so only being only able to offer a limited price structure which was built on historical knowledge and a bit of second guessing of as to what competitor prices were going to be.

Operators are always looking to maximise their space but this is made more difficult because the airlines fly out departing customers first and the pick them up later in the day for all short and medium haul flights. Only long haul work the opposite way with customers coming to the car park in the late afternoon and arriving back early in the morning.

Due to the nature of the industry, nearly 40% of all movements occur during the week-end with Saturday the busiest day. In the old days they would ideally have liked to add the cars coming into the car park to those remaining and then take off the cars leaving to arrive at an overnight total. Due to more coming in first they have to reduce the amount of cars they could take.

Fortunately the internet has changed all this and allows the operator to have more control over pricing and at the same time allow the buyer of the product to spot an opportunity. By attracting more cars Monday to Friday they will avoid the big swings that occur and can use roadway space up to a limit to ensure the car park is nearly always full. This also reduces their staffing costs and puts less pressure on their transport by not concentrating too many movements at the week-end.

If you can always look to travel outside of the week-end if at all possible check several car parks because they will constantly be changing prices to maximise their positions. Or if booking in peak season always look to book as early as you can because off airport car parks tend to fill up well before the airport to get the best price. Once the car park for any given day starts to reach capacity prices will rise. Conversely at off peak outside of bank holidays leaving as late as you dare will also pay off.

The author is the owner of Flypark.co.uk who have been providing airport parking at all UK airports since 1989. Off airport car parks offer considerable savings and can cut the cost of parking by up to 50% and with more and more travellers opting for this option early booking is recommended to get the best price and avoid having to park on airport where prices are exorbitant.
Look to book early when booking Gatwick Airport Parking and Heathrow Airport Parking.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Air Traffic Gets Green Light After Glitch (news.sky.com)
• UK transatlantic flights grounded (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Gatwick sale is painful but necessary as it enables Ferrovial to keep Heathrow (telegraph.co.uk)
• Gatwick airport sold for £1.5bn (telegraph.co.uk)
• BAA agrees Gatwick airport sale (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Rise in Heathrow passengers boosts BAA (guardian.co.uk)

Common necessity for a modern traveller - Airport Parking

Image via Wikipedia

Airport parking is becoming a common necessity for a modern traveller, with transport cost at a all time high, it makes sense to take your car with you, especially as its going to be sitting in a street or unattended garage anyway.

But what does this actually mean for you? There are many airport car park companies, that promise your car security and in reality they over book and the car you thought is securely tucked away in a car park might be standing in an estate probably exposed to more prying eyes than normal. Do you really want to go on your trip worrying that your car might be safe?

There are many car park companies that offer great service and protection for your car, but comparing each and their respective prices is something that will take time, and even then you are not sure if you have covered everything, or actually have the best deals!

Before we go on to talk about the prices, and where to look for best deals, It is important to highlight common services offered by Car park companies.

The most exclusive service offered are usually goes along the lines of MEET and GREET. This is essentially where a chauffeur will meet you at a particular place usually within the terminal, and you hand them your car keys. The idea is that the Chauffeur then drives the car to a secured car park. When you return from the trip the chauffer returns to the terminal and hands you the keys.

Few factors must be considered before you take this service.

Some companies have a hidden charge so when you actually park your car at the terminal, the cost of the parking is added to you final payment, as well as on your return journey the cost of the parking whilst the chauffer waits for your arrival is something you have to pay yourself when getting on your way to go back home, just what you needed after a holiday.

This service is however efficient and comes into its own ONLY if you are tired from a long flight, the convenience as mentioned comes at a price!

The alternatives are varied but more cost effective. They all are variations where essentially you drive your car to a designated car park, drop it off and then it's either returned to the terminal on your way back or you travel to the car park (via bus service) and pick up your car.

The issue with price is particularly important especially under the current climate. What your really need is a price comparison site that will compare all car parks and give you the best price.

To give the best value the comparison site should not sell you anything and just there to inform you! And the car park featured must be registered, and have proven security record AND cheap. An example of such site is given below, we are hoping to service customers in the Bristol UK region first and with similar sites to be launched for Gatwick, Heathrow , Manchester and Luton UK

Related articles by Zemanta

• Air Traffic Gets Green Light After Glitch (news.sky.com)
• UK transatlantic flights grounded (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Rise in Heathrow passengers boosts BAA (guardian.co.uk)

• Cumberland News

Building work can start on new-look Carlisle Airport

By Matthew Legg

Last updated 12:40, Tuesday, 31 March 2009

The £25m plan to redevelop Carlisle Airport and run flights to London and Europe has cleared another hurdle.

Agreement: Stobart has signed a deal promising to improve Carlisle Airport’s runway and terminal

Planning consent has been officially released by Carlisle City Council, meaning the Stobart Group, the company behind the scheme, can now exercise its option to buy the airfield and start work.

Due diligence is currently being carried out before the deal is signed.

Release of planning permission was delayed until the council received a legally-binding document from Stobart promising to improve the runway and passenger terminal at the site.

That was to avoid the project becoming a purely commercial move to relocate the Eddie Stobart haulage company at the site.

Airport director Richard Gordon said: “Things are moving. Nobody has ever got this far in developing the airport so we are in unchartered territory. It’s great news for Cumbria.”

Stobart must now come to an agreement with Gordon Brown, who farms land needed for the scheme. He says that, under the terms of a lease granted to his father in 1962, he cannot be evicted until March 2011.

Under the redevelopment plan, passengers could soon board a plane at Carlisle and be in the centre of London in under one-and-a-half hours.

Flights would operate between Carlisle and Southend Airport, which Stobart also owns. A railway station will be built soon at Southend, which will see trains running on a high-speed link to the site of the Olympics and London’s Liverpool Street station.

A 387,500sq ft warehouse will also be built in Carlisle for road haulier Eddie Stobart, a four-storey office block shared by Eddie Stobart and Stobart Rail, a chilled dock, gatehouse, canteen and parking for 339 cars, 46 lorry cabs and 96 trailers.

Norwich airport gets 'good' rating

01 April 2009

NORWICH International airport has been voted the joint sixth-best in the UK in a customer satisfaction survey carried out by Which? Holiday magazine.

The airport received a customer score of 68pc - classed as “good” by the magazine - for its passenger experience, putting it way ahead of its nearest geographical rival, London Stansted, which came 32nd with 45pc.

Passengers were asked to rate each airport on criteria including parking, check-in, food outlets, shops and airside amenities.

Norwich received a five-star rating for its check-in and “time and distance”, which included distance from check-in to security and boarding gate, and time taken to get through security. However, it only scored a one-star rating for its shops.

Smaller regional airports performed well in the survey.

The top airport was Blackpool, followed by London City, Doncaster Sheffield, Exeter, Southampton, Humberside, Norwich, Bourne-mouth, Inverness and Durham Tees Valley.

London Heathrow and Gatwick were rated the worst in the survey, involving 9,000 people.

Heathrow's Terminal 1 finished bottom of the table with a score of 31pc, and its terminals 2, 3 and 4 were the next least-popular with those polled.

Gatwick's two terminals finished just above the Heathrow terminals in the table.

Northern MPs to lobby for airports

By Chris Tighe and Andrew Bounds

Published: March 23 2009 18:18 | Last updated: March 23 2009 22:48

A delegation of northern MPs will on Tuesday lobby the government to support regional airports amid fears that losing links to London could damage their recession-hit economies further.

A group led by Nick Brown, the government’s chief whip and confidant of Gordon Brown, is to meet Jim Fitzpatrick, aviation minister, after several services to Heathrow were dropped in recent weeks.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Airports face biggest shake-up in history - Mar-19

Watchdog to order break-up of BAA - Mar-17

Passengers at heart of airports reform - Mar-09

Stansted airport expansion timing in doubt - Feb-25

BAA given Heathrow runway deadline - Jan-15

BAA claims breach of human rights - Jan-14

Three daily flights from Durham Tees Valley by BMI British Midland end on Saturday. The airline has dropped similar, 40-year-old links from Leeds Bradford. Liverpool’s business community is still smarting after VLM, the Dutch carrier, scrapped a daily flight to London City last year.

Mr Brown, also minister for the north-east, will be joined by Alan Milburn, former health secretary, Hilary Armstrong, former chief whip, and Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, among others, for the meeting.

“There’s more at stake here than the commercial needs of some carriers,” said Mr Wilson. “We have to look at the needs of regional economies.” The loss of the Heathrow service from Durham will cost local business about £1.4m a year, according to a report by the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit, representing borough councils.

The move comes as regional airports, which have expanded fast, suffer the first fall in traffic for 18 years. Struggling airlines are cutting less lucrative routes while demand for weekend breaks in continental Europe has fallen.

Airport Parking-Hotels and Lounges

If you're travelling soon I have a site based on UK Airport Parking but it also covers Travel Related Stuff such as Cheap Flights, Car Rental, Cruises, Holiday Taxi Transfers, UK Airport Hotels and UK Airport Lounges and much more, you your family and friends can save a bundle on your next trip. Click Here