Are You Parking in First Class?

The DoI has revised its plans for airport parking and will now be charging drivers based on which way you turn when entering the main car park.

Changes will come into effect on Tuesday July 4 and will now see the introduction of two price structures – Premium and Standard – in a 12-month trial.

Under the new plans, which ironically closely resembles turning left or right when getting onto a plane, drivers will be charged more than people parked just a few meters away

In April, the DoI announced plans to cut free parking at Ronaldsway down to 15 minutes, in a move which angered some residents. The department says it has listened to the public and will now be offering up to 15 minutes free parking in the premium spaces, which are closes to the airport terminal and accessed by turning left when entering the car park and 30 minutes for those turning right.

While dedicated accessible spaces will be available in the Premium section, vehicles displaying a disabled parking blue badge anywhere in this area will be able to park for free for up to an hour and pay standard rates for any additional time.

Overall, the DoI says ‘around 160’ parking spaces will be available for the Premium prices, while there will be over 420 standard spaces, which includes the area to the right of the car park entrance, as well as the existing long-stay car park.

The standard car park will have 30 minutes free parking and for up to an hour for those displaying a disabled parking blue badge.

Minister Chris Thomas said: ‘The revised arrangements announced today are the direct result of engagement with our community and I thank those who got in touch to share their views. The vast majority who did so focussed on free parking and this has now been extended to 30 minutes in the areas covered by Standard charges.’

Dawn Kinnish MLC, DoI member and chair of the Accessibility Steering Group, added: ‘I am pleased that the external engagement has led to changes and taken into account different needs. I would urge individuals who do not currently have a blue badge for parking in accessible parking bays to call 686325 or email carbadges.dsc@gov.im to obtain an application form. The blue badge scheme considers not just mobility issues but also other exceptional circumstances.’

Consultation

As with the previous plans, this is open to consultation, anyone who wants to comment can do so at the address below:

A draft copy of the Order and plan is available upon request by email to admin.airport@gov.im or by post to Isle of Man Airport, Ballasalla, IM9 2AS.

Anyone who wishes to make representations on or object to the proposal should do so by email to admin.airport@gov.imor by post to Isle of Man Airport, Ballasalla, IM9 2AS, on or before Friday 16 June 2023.

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