Whether you’re traveling with small children or riding solo on a motorbike, Marlborough Airport has you covered.

It’s now offering more choices for parking, pick-up, drop-off and waiting, including a new two minute ‘hug, kiss and say goodbye’ area.

Heading into the busy summer season, the airport has made improvements to ease congestion in front of the terminal and provide a better experience for all airport users.

Last month, family parking was added in the short and long-term carparks, providing more room for open doors and direct access to pedestrian footpaths. Two disabled parking spots were converted to family parking, still leaving ample disabled parking.

“We’ve found that most disabled and older airport users are dropped off in front of the terminal by their loved ones,” Operations Manager Steve Holtum said. “This is why it’s important that pick-up and drop-off is only two minutes in front of the terminal, so those who need it most can get in and out.”

For people wanting to leave their cars for a longer goodbye or to grab a coffee, there’s a new row of 30-minute spaces in the short-term parking, closest to the terminal.

“Consider the two-minute zone in front of the terminal as a place for quick hugs and kisses,” Mr Holtum said. “Our new 30-minute parking area is just 30 steps away from the terminal doors.”

In addition to new motorcycle parking in the short-term carpark, a new seating area near the terminal has been added with a water tap for dogs. The airport is also working with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to improve facilities for cyclists at the airport, Chief Executive Dean Heiford said.

“Destination Marlborough is targeting cycling tourism, and we’re seeing more travellers wanting to assemble their bikes right off the plane and ride from the airport,” he said. “Our consultation with the community has shown that some people would ride to the airport with improved facilities for cyclists, including covered bike parking.”