Australia’s consumer watchdog the ACCC is rebuking the country’s major airports – particular those in Sydney and Melbourne – over the prices charged for airport parking, resulting in exorbitant profit margins at the expense of value for travellers.
In its latest Airport Monitoring Report 2014-15, the ACCC identifies Melbourne Airport as the worst offender with owner Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd booking 73.2 cents in the dollar from parking revenue as pure profit.
That represents a mark-up of over 270% on the actual costs of building, running and maintaining the parking facilities, with Sydney Airport not far behind in converting 71.6 cents from every parking dollar earned into profit.
Brisbane and Perth Airports also enjoyed generous margins on airport parking of 67.2% and 63.7% respectively, which the ACCC attributed to a “lack of competitive pressure” from other providers.
While booking a car space online can sometimes avoid paying the full sticker price, the ACCC also found that the best savings were typically had when parking for longer durations, rather than shorter stays which weren’t as discounted.
“The ACCC found that consumers parking at the airports could save up to 66.5 per cent for longer durations by booking online,” said ACCC Chairman Rod Sims.
“Consumers should consider all of their options, including whether they could obtain a cheaper rate by booking online or using an off-airport parking operator,” Sims added.
Also read:
- Where to find the cheapest parking near Sydney Airport
- Revealed: Melbourne Airport's cheapest car parking
- Brisbane Airport's cheapest car parking
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
01 Feb 2015
Total posts 111
Rightly so, disgusting what Sydney Airport charge for an hour.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 157
Last year Sydney Airport had a deal going that by booking online you could obtain a fairly good saving, especially on long term stays.
This year.....nothing!!!
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 117
Pretty sad when the parking costs you more than the actual airfare LOL.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
ACCC won't do anything about it. Just say naughty naughty. In a week everyone would have forgotten and the airports keep doing what they are doing.
At the end of the day, you privatise the airports and whoever bought them, will do what they can to make more money. Especially when there isn't any alternative
28 Mar 2016
Total posts 1
Genuine question, does anyone know the reasoning behind privatising all our national airports? Not even in the land of the free are the airports there privatised.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
Howard gov needed the money
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
What's gonna happen?
Nothing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2011
Total posts 60
What would you like them to do that is within their legislative powers?
Price gouging isnt illegal.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 688
... and neither is Regulation or (re)Regulation.
It is not beyond the bounds of the ACCC to recommend or suggest policy changes to Parliament where excessive and/or continuous abuse is concerned.
Time to make some noise people.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 May 2013
Total posts 25
ACCC are useless.
Sydney & Melbourne Airport officials aren't scared of these clowns.....NOT ONE BIT.
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