NEWCASTLE Airport is moving ahead with a plan to charge hire cars and shuttle buses for access to its terminal pick-up area, but does not expect the move will cost passengers more.
A new licence for operators will come into effect from November 1. It will allow the pick-up bay adjacent to the terminal to be used to set down and collect passengers.
The Herald has reported that transport operators would pay an annual fee of $300 a vehicle to register up to three vehicles, or $500 a vehicle to register more than four.
Airport corporate services director David Nye said 10 operators had signed up for the licence.
They represented a "good mix" of airport transfer operators and serviced varied areas.
Those who had not signed up would need to park in nearby car parks and walk to the terminal to collect passengers.
Mr Nye said the move was to ease congestion around the airport as it expanded.
The licence gave operators two hours' parking a day.
Some operators had raised concerns that the move was aimed at revenue raising, the costs of which would have to be passed on to customers.
Mr Nye said the licence was a new "revenue stream" but that the money would be invested in the airport's infrastructure.
He said this would benefit the community and transport operators by providing better parking and other sites.
The agreement would be extended to taxis later but a date was to be decided.
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