Airport set to introduce charge for parking

Fees of up to $12 a day will be charged at Newman Airport from the start of next month.

Those dropping off passengers at the transport hub will be able to park for 30 minutes without charge, but any period of time longer than that will now incur a fee.

The Shire of East Pilbara agreed to the change after a report from Parking and Traffic Consultants showed the Shire was losing up to $80,000 a year because it was not charging users to park.

Previously, free parking for up to three hours was introduced to provide bus operators with enough time to drop passengers off and wait for people from several different flights.

But the report said the parking system was unable to distinguish between buses and other users, and as a result, all vehicles were benefiting from the free parking.

The Shire says the change will allow the airport to provide industry-standard parking while allowing a financial return.

The new parking fees will start on February 1.