A new parking payment system for the airport - due to begin today (Tuesday) - has been delayed while officers have a rethink.

The news, announced last night - just hours before it was meant to come into operation - comes after complaints about the new system.

Parking will continue to be free while arrangements to introduce the changes are finalised, and a further announcement will be made on Thursday, May 19, regarding when the new cashless payment system will come into force.

In a statement published at about 6pm last night, Tim Glover MHK, the politician at the Department of Infrastructure with responsibility for ports, said: ‘While the new system was to be introduced tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17), a decision has been reached to delay the launch for a short period. The department is grateful to those who have shared constructive feedback – officers will now be using that to ensure a smooth transition.’

Once the system is in place, the quickest way to pay will be through a mobile phone or device using the RingGo app, which can be downloaded free from the Apple or Google Play stores.

RingGo is a car parking system in use at hundreds of sites throughout the British Isles. Find out more at myringgo.co.uk/howitworks

Once the app has been downloaded and the registration process completed, customers who have found a parking space should enter the four or five-digit location number shown on signs and pay in advance for the required time. If your return flight is delayed or you just need extra time, it’s a simple process to extend the payment period through the app.

Anyone who doesn’t have a smartphone has a range of other options:

  • pay by calling a number and providing a card payment over the phone
  • send a text message
  • pay online
  • ask for assistance at the information desk inside the airport building

One hour’s free disc-parking will be extended and available throughout the car parks.

Parking rates will remain unchanged.