The Queenstown Airport’s public park and ride transfer service has been suspended until further notice.

Activity levels at Queenstown Airport have dropped due to COVID-19 border restrictions and the popular park and ride service has been put into hibernation until those activity levels improve.

QAC statistics indicate total passenger movements at the airport were down 75 per cent during June 2020 compared with June 2019; that was an improvement on May’s figures, however, which were down 93.3 per cent compared with May 2019.

Queenstown Airport Corporation finance and commercial general manager Andrew Williamson said prior to COVID-19 the passenger transfer service from a large parking lot near Franton’s Mitre 10 MEGA to the airport terminal was well used.

“We know that for many people in the region, particularly those coming from a bit further away, it was a welcome and convenient option to make travel easier,” he said.

“While Park and Ride has stopped for now, we do intend to reintroduce the service in the future and will review this as flight and passenger numbers start to build again.”

Part of the popularity of the service was it provided the airport’s most affordable parking option, especially for travellers intending to park for a week or more, and its online booking service enabled travellers to secure a parking space in advance.

Day or longer-term parking is still available at the airport and ranges in price from $25 per day to $155 per week. In contrast, the park and ride service (two-day minimum stay) was $40 for three days and $10 for extra days thereafter and included the bus transfer to the airport terminal.

Other current options for parking include public parking opposite the Ramada Hotel on the corner of Hawthorne Drive and Market Street, beside the Remarkables Park shopping centre. Parking charges range from $10 a day (24 hours); $8 per day for days 2-11; and $6 per day for days 11-42. A week will cost $58.

However, it is a 1.2km walk to the airport (about 15-20 minutes), or travellers can order a taxi for a flat fee of $18 by calling Queenstown Taxis on 03 450 3000 and say your pickup is from the airport parking on Hawthorne Drive.

Find further information about this option here.

There are also daily scheduled bus services between Wanaka and Queenstown Airport and return offered by Ritchies Bus Company and private car transfer services.

PHOTO: Supplied