ACCC to monitor airport car parking fees

April 6, 2008 - 11:42AM

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will monitor car parking costs and revenue at the nation's five major airports, the federal government said today.

Total car parking revenue at Australia's airports reached $206 million last year, and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said by international standards parking charges at some of the airports were "high".

"I recognise there are genuine public concerns about airports using their monopoly position to exert significant market power and charge higher prices for the various periods of stay - particularly short term stays to drop off and pick up passengers," Mr Albanese said in a statement.

"We need to ensure that this monopoly position doesn't lead to the exploitation of the travelling public and their families."

The ACCC had previously monitored airport parking fees but this program lapsed last year.

According to the government statement, short term car parking fees at Australian airports range from $4 in Adelaide to $13 in Sydney. JFK International Airport in New York charges $6.55, while Heathrow in London is $8.50.

In 2006/07 revenue from parking ranged from $9.8 million at Adelaide Airport to $69.6 million at Sydney Airport.

Revenue from parking was growing at a much quicker rate than the number of people actually moving through the terminals, the government said.

Since 2002 passenger numbers at the five airports have increased by about 41 per cent, while for the same period parking revenues grew by 77 per cent.

"The inclusion of car parking in the ACCC's monitoring regime will provide greater transparency and accountability for the pricing of these facilities," Mr Albanese said.


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