Weekend airport parking popular

Long-term parking at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) is becoming popular with flyers. The sprawling parking space can accommodate 2,000 vehicles, and for about Rs 9,200 a month, you can leave your vehicle at the airport.

Long-term parking was inaugurated in 2008, along with the airport, but not many knew about it in the initial years. In recent years, many more passengers are using it, especially when they are flying out on short trips. Long-term parking is available for both domestic and international travellers, and two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

Providing parking at the airport is a mandate, but long-term parking is a Bangalore International Airport Ltd initiative. “An internal survey showed us that there was a definite requirement for such a facility. There are a lot of people who travel out of the city on weekends. This facility was started to cater to that niche segment,” a BIAL spokesman told Metrolife.

No restriction is placed on the duration. Some users park their vehicles for two months, but 48 hours is the most common duration. If a car is parked beyond the stipulated time, parking staff alert security personnel as the standard operating procedure. The parking is under CCTV surveillance 24/7.

The security department maintains a register and users of long-term parking have to enter identity details in it. Not everyone is forthcoming with details. “People who own high-end cars sometimes don’t want to leave their details,” the spokesman says.

All vehicles are thoroughly checked because unattended vehicles pose a security threat. Long-term parking is available at P2 budget parking, P4 parking and P3 premium parking. The cost at P2 budget parking is Rs 100 for two hours and Rs 50 for every additional hour. For longer-duration parking, it is Rs 500 a day and Rs 300 for every additional day. The same rates apply to P4 parking.“Most people choose to park in P2 and P4 because that works out cheaper than P3,” he says.

The airport has a buffer in all the categories. Even if the demand doubles, it has enough space, he says.

Security concerns
All cars using long-term parking are thoroughly checked. Users have to log in their details in a register. The most reluctant to give out car ownership details are those who drive into the airport in high-end luxury cars.

Who uses it?
The service is popular with weekend travellers who leave late on Friday and come back in time for work on Monday.

Wallet factor

Cars
- 0-2 hours: Rs 100 (budget)
- 1 hour: Rs 100 (premium)
- 1 day: Rs 500
- 2 days: Rs 800
- 1 month: Rs 9,200

Two-wheelers
- 0-4 hours: Rs 20
- Every additional 4 hours: Rs 20
- 1 day: Rs 120
- 2 days: Rs 240
- 1 month: Rs 3,600 (30 days)