Thiruvananthapuram: Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has urged the management of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to review and rationalise parking charges, alleging that the tariffs are significantly higher than those at Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial).In a letter sent to the chief airport officer, TCCI president S N Raghuchandran Nair sought a scientific assessment of parking tariffs, taking into account operational and maintenance costs, passenger requirements, traffic volume, exit time and charges at comparable airports.According to TCCI, private four-wheelers are charged Rs 300 for parking for up to two hours at Thiruvananthapuram airport, whereas it is Rs 100 at Cial. The chamber’s comparative statement lists the charge for four to 24 hours at Thiruvananthapuram airport as Rs 1,000, against Rs 350 for 24 hours at Cial.The chamber also flagged the charges for commercial four-wheelers. While Cial charges Rs 100 for up to two hours, the tariff schedule cited by TCCI lists Rs 200 for eight to 30 minutes, Rs 300 for 30 minutes to one hour and Rs 400 for one to two hours at Thiruvananthapuram airport.TCCI said the substantial difference between the tariffs at the two airports warranted a review of the existing structure. It enclosed a comparative chart with its representation.The chamber also raised concerns over confusion between drop-off and pick-up lanes at the airport. It said there were instances of vehicles being charged even when they had arrived only to drop passengers and were neither picking up passengers nor being parked.Describing the practice as unfair, the chamber called for clearer signage, better lane guidance and either a suitable exemption or a nominal charge for brief visits.
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