Cape Town - About 600 more airport parking bays will be made available at Cape Town International Airport for use by the public.
In 2006 the airport's first multi-storey parkade (MSP) came on stream increasing the airport parking capacity by an additional 2 000 bays.
While this temporarily alleviated the strain on parking capacity, the consistent increase in passenger numbers has resulted in the airport parking once again coming under significant pressure.
With work on the second multi-storey parkade set to begin in July this year, the airport's parking capacity will be further increased by at least 2 000 more bays once the construction project is completed.
In the interim, to limit the inconvenience of the lack of airport parking capacity, staff parking, used by all staff working at the airport, has been relocated from the current central parking to a remote site.
This move has freed approximately 600 airport parking bays for use by the public.
"Given the rate at which the increase in demand for airport parking continues to grow, we decided to enable a remote site for airport staff and free up as much parking as possible for visitors to the airport.
"Although a second multi-storey parkade will soon come on stream, we're certain that these additional bays will be welcomed by our airport parking users", says Deidre Hendricks, Communications Manager, Airports Company South Africa: Cape Town International Airport.
Hendricks went on to say that airport staff was relocated in the beginning of May, allowing contractors to prepare the site for the public.
"The additional airport parking will certainly bring some relief", she said. Meanwhile, the airport is abuzz with construction activity as the R1.3bn airport transformation continues.
Work on the Central Terminal Building is well under way and the work on the new elevated road, similar to that of OR Tambo International Airport, will begin shortly.
"Visitors to the airport would have noticed that large areas have already been hoarded off across the airport, clearly showing off the flurry of construction activity under way."
But, although there is some inconvenience, the airport's transformation is for the benefit of all its users.
"These additional airport parking bays are certainly good news and we're positive it will improve the airport experience", says Hendricks.
Airport parking users are reminded to make sure that they arrive at the airport early in order to allow themselves with sufficient time to park, check-in and move through security.
Source: Wheels 24
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