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Tour operators’ plea for airport parking fee exemption junked
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Posted on Sep 01 1999
Serious in its intent to earn the much-needed revenues from parking fees, the Commonwealth Ports Authority has denied the request of Japan Saipan Travel Association for an exemption from the payment of airport parking fee.
The implementation of parking fee is expected to generate an additional $100,000 in annual revenues for the cash-strapped ports authority
JSTA, which handles over 90 percent of all Japanese tourists to the CNMI, has sought a waiver until April 1, 2000. At least three to five staff members of each JSTA-member company goes to the airport to greet their customers.
However, CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas presented two alternatives for JSTA-member companies:
• Submit estimates of employee parking time so that CPA could bill them only for that time on a monthly or yearly basis. If an employee parks at the airport for two hours Monday through Friday, CPA will only ask for a $40 monthly payment; and
• Lease joint office space considering the amount of time JSTA employees spend in handling passengers. Such move would not only entitle the group to purchase parking passes, but also offer a more permanent airport presence.
Salas noted that some of JSTA employees have been parking in the commuter terminal parking area even though their business is at the international terminal.
Due to the decline of visitor arrivals, many JSTA members have been having financial problems and just counting on any savings to enable them to survive. The implementation of a parking fee without adequate notice has forced the companies to absorb the additional costs.
If a temporary waiver is not acceptable, JSTA proposes to CPA to charge its members a flat rate of $35 annually for every company car.
CPA is currently conducting a feasibility study for the installation of parking meters at the commuter parking. It is planning to schedule manpower from the different departments to man the entrance and exit booths at the international airport parking area without having to hire additional personnel. (Lindablue F. Romero)
