Saskatoon airport opens valet parking service

Saskatoon International Airport has unveiled their newest parking option as the airport continues to put the finishing touches on their renovations.

“ValetXE” will provide a terminal-side valet parking service to customers, allowing them to drive right up to the door and leave their vehicles in the hands of staff while continuing on to their gate.

“It’s for people where time is really of the essence for their trip,” said Stephen Maybury, CEO of the Saskatoon Airport Authority.

“It’s for people who don’t want to walk in -40 degree weather.”

The new service is located directly across from the security pre-screening area of the airport, allowing for the shortest walk possible once inside.

Maybury said ValetXE will track the arrival times of customers’ flights, prompting staff to have a vehicle prepared and waiting by the time the customer has picked up their bags and reached the valet lounge.

“Pick up your keys to your car, the car is parked at a 45-degree angle on the outside, and you drive away from the curb,” he said.

The valet service costs $30 a day, making it the most expensive parking option at the airport.

Standard long-term parking costs $16 a day, while a new “JetSet” option that shuttles customers from a parking lot farther away from the terminal is priced at $10 daily.

Construction is still ongoing at the airport, with some areas of the long-term parking lot and terminal approach still blocked off by workers.

Maybury said those “finishing touches,” including a canopy providing shelter further away from the terminal entrance, will be completed by mid-December.