The automated parking control system at the Rarotonga International Airport is back in service after being down since the start of the year.

The entry machines at the car park were not functioning and the Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI) reverted back to the old parking system, where vehicle owners were charged a flat rate of $2, Cook Islands News reported in August.

Earlier this month, Airport Authority chief executive Nikau Tangaroa told the newspaper the carpark is now fully functional, with the exception of the car park opposite the Air Raro Hangar, which is waiting for parts.

“The cost estimate for repair is around $17,000 with the bulk of the repair work carried out by our local AACI technical team. At the time of Cook Islands News query (last month), our local technical team were working on the fault,” Tangaroa said.

In August, Tangaroa said the issue was first detected in mid-January for one of the machines, followed by a failure in another car park machine in late March 2023.

“It’s wear and tear, and this is carried out by an overseas technician who currently has a busy schedule. Our AACI team assists with basic areas of preventative maintenance, including technical support.”

The parking system had cost the Airport Authority almost $250,000 and was installed by contractors from New Zealand in 2017.

Under the automated car parking system, customers are not charged for the first 15 minutes after entry to allow them time to search for parking spots. Thereafter, and for up to eight hours, vehicle owners are charged $1 per half hour, and the fee for a day (eight to 24 hours) is $16. The charge for two days (24 to 48 hours) is $25 and a week costs $75.

Tangaroa said that in the future, all technical aspects of the entire airport system, including the car park system, will be carried out by the AACI technical team.

“As we are in our transitioning phase from the old structure into the new, the aim is to upskill/train our local staff in diverse technical areas within the airport simultaneously staying abreast with changes to technology worldwide, adopting cost-efficient systems that will benefit the airport and the Cook Islands people.”