The environmental benefits of airport parking

Have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact your method of transport to the airport has on the environment?

I know we are reminded about the impact our flights have, but quite often we forget about how we get to the airport. Yes, the airports are always trying to get us to take public transport and, although public transport figures are rising, it’s not always practical to get a bus, train or coach to take us to the airport.

I like to do my bit for the environment, but honestly, you try getting two young children and your luggage on board a coach, train or bus to the airport, it’s not easy. Many of us have often volunteered to take friends or family to the airport to save them the hassle of driving themselves or the cost of a taxi, but in today’s climate with rising fuel costs, it no longer seems like an easy favour.

But did you know that dropping a friend off at the airport, or taking a taxi to the airport is a lot more environmentally unfriendly than driving yourself and parking at the airport? Probably not, but think about it: if you drive to the airport, parking your car yourself and then drive yourself home after your holiday, that’s two journeys – one to, and one from the airport. If you take a taxi, or get your friend to drop you off, that’s four journeys – one to the airport, one home, another to the airport to pick you up and then the journey back to your house - twice the number of miles, twice the cost, and twice the carbon emissions.

So, before you request the services of your mate to take you to the airport this summer, stop and consider airport parking. Airport parking prices aren’t prohibitive, they’re often cheaper than you think, and if booked online in advance can save you up to 60% on the gate prices and a lot of carbon emissions.

If you don’t want the hassle of parking yourself, or don’t want to park off-airport and get the shuttle bus to and from the airport, consider meet and greet parking where you just drive up to the airport terminal, hand over your keys and let someone else park your car. The best part is that on your return your car is outside waiting for you ready to be driven home.

If you want to take your carbon savings one step further, book with a green airport parking company that makes a donation to an environmental programme, or plants a tree for every booking made.