Airport Keeps Track of Fee Dodgers

Sneaky car parkers at New Plymouth Airport have been warned: We have you on camera.

Attempts to avoid car parking charges by tailgating cars through the barrier exits have led to barrier arms being broken and those responsible paying costs of up to $800.

Manager Airport Kevin Hill says there are 13 surveillance cameras around the airport and fee-dodgers are tracked down by their vehicle licence plates.

“With the new car parking system that started in November last year, we’ve had many tailgating incidents which have resulted in three barrier arms being broken when the arm comes down on the tailgating car,” he says.

“We send payment notices to the dodgers, and we also send bills for replacement barriers arms to the drivers responsible.

“We’re talking about people trying to avoid fees of $5 or $10 for parking in a secure area while they’re out of the district. I don’t think they realise that we know who they are, and we’d like to stop these incidents occurring.”

Earlier this week an attempt to fraudulently use a car parking ticket failed, so the driver tried tailgating through the exit and broke the barrier arm. Mr Hill says the police have been contacted, and future incidents will also likely be reported.

The new car parking system sends an alert when someone tries to use it fraudulently – such as driving up to the entrance to collect a ticket, then reversing out and handing the ticket to someone who has a car in the car park. That ticket becomes invalid and cannot be used.

Mr Hill says the new payment machines are working well and have overcome the previous problem of the lightweight tickets blowing away in a strong wind.

Also, the airport’s new car parking area is being painted this week and will be open for use soon.