From today, motorists will have to pay to park at the airport for more than two hours.

Pay parking is designed to free up car spaces and improve security.

The boom gates and pay station are ready to go after a week-long trial of the system so people could get used to the new barriers and equipment.

Parking is free for the first two hours, but costs $15 for 24 hours or $70 a week.

The pay-parking project cost about $150,000 to complete.

Port Macquarie resident Scott Orchard used to drive to the airport and leave his car there while he was away for work.

But he said that would change with pay parking.

Mr Orchard said he understood why pay parking was introduced but said it was an inconvenience.

“The fact we are charged to park seems to have gone to the extreme,” Mr Orchard said.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council corporate and business services director Tony Leahy said the introduction of pay parking was designed to free up space for short-term visitors.

At the same time, the barriers would act as a security measure for vehicles at the airport.

“With the airport being solely funded by airport operations on a user-pays basis, all revenue generated from the fees will be used to fund ongoing airport operations, loan repayments and future improvements,” he said.

“These new arrangements are also consistent with other regional airports with jet services.”

Council staff and representatives from the equipment supplier, Sabar, will be on hand today to help drivers with any queries.

In the past 12 months, Port Macquarie Airport has invested $12 million on runway, taxiway and apron improvements, as well as the new departure lounge and security screening facilities.

A further $750,000 is being spent this year in additional security and baggage handling equipment.