TCCI urges overhaul of high parking fees at Trivandrum airport

The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to the chief airport officer demanding a review of the parking and vehicle‑access fees at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The chamber points out that the current rates are far higher than those at comparable hubs such as Cochin International Airport. At Cochin, a private car is charged ₹100 for the first two hours and ₹350 for a full day, while Thiruvananthapuram asks ₹300 for the same two‑hour window and ₹1,000 for a stay of four to twenty‑four hours. For commercial vans, Cochin’s charge stays at ₹100 for up to two hours, but Thiruvananthapuram’s schedule lists ₹200 for eight to thirty minutes, ₹300 for thirty minutes to one hour and ₹400 for one to two hours. The chamber also notes frequent complaints that vehicles used only to drop off passengers are sometimes billed despite not parking, creating confusion between drop‑off and pick‑up lanes. TCCI therefore calls for clearer signage, better lane markings and either a free‑pass or a minimal fee for very short visits. It suggests that any future tariff should reflect the airport’s operating and maintenance costs, passenger needs, traffic volume, exit time and the rates charged at similar airports. Before finalising any changes, the chamber urges the authorities to seek input from taxi operators, passenger groups and other airport users.

Context

Parking fees at Indian airports vary widely, and higher charges can push travelers toward other transport options or discourage airport use. The stark difference with Cochin’s rates underscores why the chamber is pressing for a review.