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Parking at Penticton Regional Airport is set to become dramatically more expensive. Starting November 1, fees across every parking category will rise between 400 and 500 percent. Transport Canada, which owns and operates the airport, says the increases are necessary to bring rates in line with current market conditions.
Why Fees Are Rising
In a federal regulatory notice published in the Canada Gazette, Transport Canada explained that the rules governing parking fees were last updated in 2012. Since then, operating costs at its five federally owned airports have grown steadily. The department says those airports are now running at a deficit.
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Penticton is one of five airports affected by this federal initiative. The others are Port Hardy and Sandspit in British Columbia, Sept-Îles in Quebec, and Wabush in Labrador. However, it remains unclear how much parking fees will change at those four other locations.
Local Reaction to the Increases
Many Penticton residents are frustrated by the scale of the jump. Donna, a local resident, expressed her displeasure directly. “Everyone wants to get on the bandwagon to get more money,” she said.
Some travellers acknowledge that Penticton’s previous rates were unusually low. In fact, one traveller noted that some locals had used the airport lot for long-term parking without flying at all. The old rates were cheaper than some paid parking options elsewhere in town.
Even so, an airport employee believes the size of the increase goes too far. “I think they have made a big mistake,” the employee said. “I don’t mind them putting it up a little because it was pretty cheap, but they put it up to its equal to Kelowna.” That comparison is notable because much of the parking at Penticton Airport remains unpaved and lacks basic infrastructure such as lighting, unlike the facilities at larger airports.
A Broader Cost-of-Living Concern
For many residents, the parking fee hike arrives at a difficult time. Everyday costs continue to climb, from fuel to groceries. Donna says her household has already cut back on spending to manage the rising cost of living.
“We don’t go out for meals as much as we used to,” she said.
The airport parking increases add another financial consideration for local travellers. With fees set to multiply several times over, residents like Donna say they will have to think carefully before leaving their cars at the airport. Travellers will ultimately need to weigh whether on-site parking remains a practical option at the new rates.
