Airport car parks are huge business, with major airport hubs seeing car parking producing around $80 million to $100 million of revenue each year.

Recent results from the 2012 ACI Airport Economics survey shows that car parking now accounts for around 7% of global airport revenues and is the second biggest source of non-aviation related revenue (equal with real estate) after retail. In 2010, Denver International Airport (DIA), for example, made $118 million in revenue from car parking and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) saw its car parking revenues exceed $97 million.

An article published in Airport World examines what some airports are doing to maximise their revenues.

• Variable rates based on the location of the car park, the level of service provided, covered parking vs open air parking, and VIP or valet parking.
• Ensuring customer service is at the forefront of their business, making the experience as stress-free as possible. This can include the investment in wayfinding services, advance reservation programs and even loyalty-style programs for business passengers and frequent flyers.
• Parking innovation through their infrastructure and services, including online booking systems, and car finding applications on screens and kiosks directing them back to their parked vehicle.
• Pricing mechanisms such as discounted multi-day packages, or internet coupon offers.
• Upselling additional services, including valet services, oil change, car wash or general car inspection.
• A wide range of payment options including ticketless and credit card payment enabling greater efficiencies for customers and the airport.

The full article can be found on the Airport World site here. For any Spanish speaking readers out there, you may also be interested to read a presentation by Parking & Traffic Consultants’ Managing Partner Cristina Lynn, delivered on Airport Parking at the 1^st National Congress of Airports in Argentina, in November 2011. Click here to view her presentation on slideshare.