Passengers and vehicle drivers are expressing their frustration as parking fees at Chennai Airport’s multilevel parking facility have been increased once again, with the new charges taking effect from today without prior notice. This marks the second hike in parking charges within just two years, leaving many to question the timing and transparency of the revisions.The revised parking fees have seen a significant upward revision across all vehicle categories. The minimum parking fee for cars has increased from Rs. 80 to Rs. 85 for half an hour, while the maximum 24-hour fee has been raised from Rs. 525 to Rs. 550. Tempo vans will now have to pay a minimum charge of Rs. 330, up from Rs. 315, while the 24-hour fee has risen from Rs. 1,050 to Rs. 1,110.
In a similar trend, parking charges for buses and trucks have also been hiked. The minimum parking fee for these vehicles has gone up from Rs. 630 to Rs. 660, while the 24-hour charge has increased from Rs. 2,100 to Rs. 2,205. Even two-wheelers, which had previously seen relatively lower fees, have been hit with a price hike. The fee for parking for one to two hours has been increased from Rs. 30 to Rs. 35, while the 24-hour fee has risen from Rs. 95 to Rs. 100.
This sudden hike in parking charges comes on the heels of another controversial move by the airport authorities in August, where the pick-up point for passenger vehicles was relocated to the second floor of the multilevel parking facility, a full kilometer away from the terminal. Like the latest fee increase, this shift was implemented without prior notice, sparking criticism from both passengers and vehicle operators who found the move to be inconvenient and poorly communicated.
The revised parking charges have left many feeling inconvenienced and dissatisfied, with passengers expressing their disappointment over the lack of transparency and communication regarding the fee hike. Critics argue that such sudden increases place an additional financial burden on travelers, especially given the rising costs of travel and the ongoing challenges posed by inflation.
As passengers and vehicle drivers continue to voice their concerns, it remains to be seen whether the airport authorities will address these grievances or if the increased parking charges will remain in place.