New sensor technology at Queenstown Airport provides real-time availability of car parking spaces

The next stage of Queenstown Airport’s parking improvements will be launched this summer, with newly installed sensor technology providing customers real-time information about the availability of car parking spaces at the terminal.

The sensors will be installed in each car space by mid-December.  Once the system has been fully tested, it will stream the number of available car spaces to digital signs at the entrance of the airport and to Queenstown Airport’s website. 

Newly appointed GM Commercial and Customer Experience Olivia Pierre says that the aim of the sensor technology is to help airport visitors make more informed choices about their parking and transport options.

“Over the last 18 months Queenstown Airport has invested over $4.2million in its ground transport and car parking offering to ensure an excellent customer experience for airport visitors and a wider choice of options when flying to and from Queenstown.

“Our main focus to date has been improving the parking infrastructure, including expanding our car parking by nearly 70%, bringing back the drop-off zone, and building a new roundabout and dedicated coach parks.  The next step has been looking at technology solutions which will further enhance the customer experience.

“We’ve already rolled out ‘Tap & Go’ in the terminal car parks for ease of payment and radio-frequency identification (RFID) for commercial operators which provides a range of benefits.

“Sensor technology will now take us to the next level in providing real-time information.  This will give airport visitors more control over their experience and take away the worry of whether there will be a car park for them,” she said.

Queenstown Airport is continuing to work closely with its Regional Transport Governance Group partners Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council, and NZ Transport Agency to provide better short, medium and long-term transport solutions for the region.

The hope is that any new technology deployed at the airport’s car parks could also be integrated into the region’s wider transport strategy, including the new NZTA Choice App and future QLDC parking initiatives, to present a cohesive picture of transport options and availability in the region.