Cheaper airport parking in move to 'travel hub'

Alastair Rhodes.

Cheaper parking options have been introduced at the Rotorua International Airport, including reduced charges for long-term parking.

Other changes are the extension of free visitor parking from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, updated rates and new pay machines which now accept Eftpos and credit card payments.

Airport chief executive Alastair Rhodes said the development was an important one for the site.

"The newly allocated short and long term parking areas at the airport have been designed to offer greater choice for people travelling and by increasing the free visitor parking time from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, we are further encouraging people to utilise the airport as their travel hub," he said.

"Whether dropping off friends or family or just popping in for a coffee and a lotto ticket, locals are invited to take advantage of the new extended free parking options."

The short-term car park offers premium parking positions adjacent to the terminal entrance, while the long-term car park offers nearly 40 per cent savings from short stay rates.

Rates for the long-term carpark are $10 a day, $50 a week and $100 a month.

Two new pay stations inside the terminal building have an upgraded cash-only machine, plus the addition of a new Eftpos and credit card self-serve facility.

Technology for the barrier arms to enter and exit the airport has also been upgraded with barcode scanner technology allowing pre-payment options and discounts for frequent travellers.