THUNDER BAY — Significant changes to the parking fee structure will take effect in the New Year at Thunder Bay Airport.
As of Jan.1, 2025, drivers will be charged $2.00 an hour to a maximum of $20 per day, and there will no longer be separate short-term and long-term parking lots.
Half-hour parking for $1.00 will remain available, but the airport will stop providing free parking for the first 20 minutes.
Under the existing system, the cap is $40 a day for short-term/premium parking and $18.50 for long-term parking.
Jackie MacDonald, business and communications coordinator for the airport authority said Wednesday the changes are intended to improve the customer's experience rather than generate new revenue.
"We get a lot of customers that park in the short-term lot unknowingly. They stay for a week, and they come from their trip and are charged $300 or $400, and they're asking 'What the heck is this? I thought I parked in the long-term lot."
MacDonald said the airport expects parking revenue will actually decrease slightly in the first couple of months after the changes take effect, but the overall impact will not be significant.
"It's more of a customer service approach...we're just looking to streamline our parking operation and make it easier for the passenger when they travel to and from our airport."
