Massive Cut to Free Parking

A major change to airport parking will see the amount of time drivers have for free while displaying a parking disc reduced from an hour to 15 minutes.

A statutory consultation will be launched this week ahead of a forthcoming trial of revised parking arrangements at Ronaldsway.

The new prices, brought in under the guise of a ’12-month trial’ will get underway from May 1.

The long-stay car park will be rebranded as seasonal parking and will have one fee — enabling people to pay £120 for as much use of the facility as they wish over a 90-day period.

In addition to pricing, a recent review also identified how parking for disabled drivers may be improved. A total of 10 extra spaces will be created in the short-stay car park, close to the main terminal building in what is now the disc zone area. Dedicated spaces will also be available in the seasonal car park, currently known as the long-stay car park, for the first time.

DoI Minister Chris Thomas said: ‘During the trial the Department will monitor how people use the car parks and also the impact on parking around the airport. The provision of better facilities for people with disabilities is particularly important.’

The consultation will run from Friday and will open be open for two weeks, closing on April 21.

The cost of parking at the airport has not changed for seven years, other than during the Covid pandemic when there was no charge. These are the new charges.