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Pay to play in Aussie airport parking lots

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) on Apr 10th 2009 at 4:30PM

For the past decade, Australians have griped about the escalating cost of short-term airport parking. Accusations of monopoly pricing were leveled, and a year ago, the government got involved, having the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) keep an eye on parking lot fees at the country's five largest airports. The results are amazing.

Airports pull in 11 percent of their revenue from parking. In Melbourne, it's a whopping 21 percent, while Sydney's airport pulls in a more modest 7 percent of its financial take from the parking lots. Since no government agency is willing to put its head on the chopping block the ACCC would only say that this is "consistent with airports having a monopoly position."

Of course, there are perks to paying. People parking at the Melbourne airport were the most satisfied customers, with those frequenting Sydney's lots at the bottom.

But, convenience always wins.

The Sydney airport is only 10 kilometers (a little more than 6 miles) from the city, and only 13 percent of passengers use the airport's parking lots. Melbourne's airport is more than twice as far away, making airport parking more sensible.

Filed under: Oceania, Australia, Airports

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

David Apr 10th 2009 8:48PM

Being from Sydney, I have some input.

It is ridiculously expensive to park at the airport. Technically it is illegal to pick up someone for free from the airport, you must park which costs a ridiculous amount. That's why I take a bus from the airport to another suburb and get friends/family to pick me up from there.

Martin J Apr 10th 2009 8:49PM

The parking gouge at the airport is a disgrace. Compounded by the decision to postpone the rail line...again. When Melbourne Tullamarine was built, it was in the days when the government owned teh airport and parking charges were v reasonable. Since privatisation, they have seen parking as easy money.

However, I think that is really unfair comment about the ACCC. It has consistently stuck its neck out on a whole range of issues.

A significant case is that of the packaging monopoly where it took one of Australia's wealthiest and most respected philanthropists. or where it has taken on Qantas (iconic Ausrtralian company), Singapore airlines, Telstra and the list goes on.

The report in question focussed ON these parking fees at airports. Far from shirking responsibility, the ACCC is focussing the spotlight. The sentence is stating what happend when you have a monopoly--if there is one thing the ACCC hates it is a monopoly.
The government minister receiving the report noted "
preliminary concerns from the ACCC that airport car parking charges may be being set above an efficient level."

On top of that the snide comment that no govt agency would put its head on the chopping block is also false in Australia.

lewis Apr 13th 2009 6:58AM

The people are losing their moral while becoming modern. The society needs to be attentive that moral values. Well things needs to be modernized but keeping intact with moral values.

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