Following the annual review of car park charges at Ronaldsway, the Department is proposing a change to the current fees, a new charge of ?1 for the first hour’s car parking.
 
Each year the Department of Infrastructure reviews charges at Ronaldsway.  Often, the review leads to no change as an inflationary rate increase would mean only a very small increase, and there are costs associated with software changes if the price is increasing by only a few pence.
 
In 2012, after many years of no increases to the charges, there was a change in the orientation of the car parks to a Short Stay and Long Stay, and charges were increased to catch up on several years’ worth of inflationary increases and to reflect the choice of parking.
 
 Minister for the Department of Infrastructure David Cretney said today
 
“Each year when carrying out a review, the Department considers the charges and facilities at other commercial airports.  At Ronaldsway we have very competitive car parking charges, especially when considering how close to the Terminal the car parks are located, with no requirement for bussing or leaving the airport site to get to the car parks. However, in line with most airports it has been considered reasonable to put in a ?1 fee for the first hour’s parking.”
 
Mr Cretney was keen to see no change to the drop-off/pick-up facility in front of the Terminal. He said: “We have continued to provide at Ronaldsway the facility to drop-off and pick-up passengers on the Terminal forecourt. This is now almost unique compared to most UK airports, as very few offer the facility and those that do charge for the convenience.”
 
The Department, by public notice, has invited comment from the public on this proposal by no later than 30th June.   There has been a number of comments made, including an approach by Travelwatch and the Minister for Infrastructure is to read all comments received and to attend a meeting arranged for Thursday afternoon to listen to alternative suggestions being put forward by Travelwatch, prior to reaching a final decision.