Macquarie Bank's new airport rip-off

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006010,00.html
Oh, when will they stop

MACQUARIE Bank is lining travellers up for another fee gouge at Sydney Airport, to coincide with the opening of a $65 million parking station at the international terminal.
Sydney Airports Corporation, owned by the bank known as "the millionaires factory'', is scrapping cheap long-term parking for international travellers in nearby Ross Smith Ave and relocating it to a new eight-level facility.
Free shuttle buses from the long-term car park to the international terminal will end this Friday, saving the bank $2 million a year.
The long-term car park will then be available for domestic passengers only.
In a total revamp of parking, the airport is also considering charging hire car operators a whopping $18,000 a year for a single designated space at the international terminal.
Angry operators are refusing to pay because the proposal would lead to higher costs for customers.
Yesterday, Macquarie Bank refused to release its new fees for Sydney, which already has among the world's most expensive airport parking.
Under the present system, long-term parkers pay on a sliding scale ranging from $24 a day to $109 a week.
Short-term day rates at the domestic and international terminals are up to $46 a day.
"Parking fees for the car park will be released before the opening,'' Sydney Airports Corporation spokesman Michael Samaras said.
"Last year, the Productivity Commission reported that Sydney Airport's car parking charges are around one-third less than in the CBD, where a premium is also paid for parking convenience.''
The airport reaped just under $70 million from parking during 2006-07.
Parking at Sydney Airport costs twice as much as at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and more than at London's Heathrow.
The Federal Government, however, has washed its hands of the issue.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said that if anti-competitive conduct was found, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission could prosecute airports in the Federal Court.
But ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said keeping car park charges in check was ``a matter, I believe,for government''.
The new car park will have 2800 spaces, taking the total at the international terminal to 4300.
Mr Samaras said the car park was expected to open next month.
The proposal to charge hire car operators - who now pay $3 to park at the terminal for 75 minutes - $18,000 a year for a secure spot has been met with disdain.
"They haven't done their sums; it just doesn't add up,'' PV Limousines owner Wayne Hodder said.
"It's unjustifiable for the work we get through here - completely ill-considered.''
European Hire Cars owner John Galluzo said he would be better off parking in the public car park.
Mr Samaras said negotiations with hire car companies for reserved spots were progressing positively.
Frank Carioti, at Sydney Airport yesterday to farewell his son Alex, said parking costs were already excessive and predicted a rise once the facility opened.
"Next, they'll be charging pedestrians just to walk here,'' Mr Carioti said.
Craig Thompson, of Heathcote, who was flying to Hamilton Island with his family, said he liked to use the present long-term car park because it was cheaper than catching a cab.