Edinburgh Airport is introducing a new high-tech digital valet parking system this summer.
A new service which uses innovative technology will put valet parking at heart of Edinburgh Airport’s parking approach to use its space more efficiently.
Passengers will drive their cars to a dedicated entrance close to the terminal. Then HD cameras take 360 degree images of the car. This to avoid disputes about the condition of the car when the passenger returns.
The passengers then park the car in a ferry lane and make a short walk to a reception area.
Using self-service kiosks, passengers scan their digital ticket from the app, email or type in booking reference. They then check their car in, tag their keys before dropping them through a secure chute.
The passengers can now head to the check-in and departures area.
The car is moved off-site for storage and returned before the passenger gets back from their trip.
On return, passengers scan their QR code, retrieve their keys from a locker and follow the directions to where the car is parked waiting for them.
The system is part of a £12 million investment that will mean an extra 5000 car parking spaces by 2021.
Alec Hodgson, head of parking at Edinburgh Airport:
“We’ve looked at our current parking options and identified an innovative facility which will revolutionise parking at Scotland’s busiest airport. By using the latest technology and adapting to the digital age we are in, we are offering a self-service product which is more convenient for our passengers.
“This is the first approach of its kind in Scotland and again we are proud to be leading the industry by embracing technology and planning for the future. We will deliver 5000 new spaces by 2021 and enhance availability and affordability of parking at Edinburgh Airport by using our space more efficiently.”
Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest and UK’s 6th busiest airport. Over 14m passengers used the airport’s single terminal in 2018.
Last month London Gatwick announced plans to start a trial in August 2019 where robots actually park cars for passengers.
N.B. Image credit: pxhere.com
