Starting January 7, 2008, if your car is illegally parked at the LF Wade International Airport, you can expect it to be ticketed, clamped and possibly towed — at your expense.

Announcing the scheme, the Department of Airport Operations (DAO) said it was necessary in order to ensure there is sufficient parking for all Airport users, particularly since traditional parking tickets, "no longer seem to be a deterrent".

Safeguard Security Ltd. has already been contracted to carry out the clamping, which will cost $150 to get removed, as well as towing vehicles away if deemed necessary.

Mike Osborn, manager of terminals, at the DAO, said that the scheme will not be at any cost to Government. However, he was unable to specify how much of the $150 clamping fees would go to Government's coffers.

He explained: "If a vehicle constitutes a danger or an obstruction, it will be removed. Hopefully, no one will put us in a position to have to tow their vehicle. We hope that we will never have to clamp anyone's vehicle and that everyone parks responsibly."

Asked how big the illegal parking problem is at the Airport, Mr. Osborn responded: "It is not a big problem until it happens to you. "Sometimes, during busy times, like a Zoom flight coming in at the same time as an American Airlines flight, there's lots of demand for short-term parking.

"All we want to do is provide the best possible service that we can at the Airport."

And he noted that there were "various" laws on the books giving the department authority to clamp and tow cars. One is provided under the National Aviation and Security Programme, which states the parking of vehicles within the vicinity of airport terminals is restricted to authorised persons and vehicles attended by their drivers.

"It's also for security purposes too. This would be if someone parked outside of the departures area and then walked away from their car — at no international airport should anyone do that these days," Mr. Osborn explained.

"And under section 12 of the Civil Airport Pay and Display Parking Regulations 1990, it says the director or any authorised person may move any vehicle at the Airport which in his opinion constitutes a danger or obstruction."

The announcement comes after the Corporation of Hamilton started clamping illegally parked cars last month, after the standard ticketing of cars proved to be ineffective, Mayor Sutherland Madeiros stated.

A similar clamping programme has also been introduced on the grounds of the Transport Control Department.