Jackson’s Parking and Transfers offers secure parking and lifts to and from airport

An air force veteran’s new business is helping passengers save money by offering an alternative to paying for long-term parking at the Townsville Airport. See how it works.

Retired airforce veteran Eric Jackson and his wife Racheal recently launched a parking and transfer service for passengers travelling through Townsville Airport. Picture: Evan Morgan

Wanting to offer cost of living relief for the community, an air force veteran has taken flight with a new business which offers travellers with a cheaper alternative to long-term parking at the Townsville Airport.

Jackson’s Parking and Transfers was founded by Eric Jackson and his wife Racheal last December at 29-33 Duckworth Street, Garbutt.

Capitalising on a gap in the market, the unique business provides a safe and convenient location for passengers to drop off and safely store their vehicles before they are driven to the airport and picked up on their return.

After decades working on aircraft around the world, including the retired F-111 jets and the now-scrapped MRH90 Taipan helicopters, Mr Jackson decided to try his hand in the mining industry.

It was during this time that he heard co-workers discussing their need to travel to Townsville for FIFO work, and how they were “getting slugged with exorbitant fees at the airport parking, especially if they couldn’t book ahead”, which gave him inspiration for the potential business opportunity.

Retired airforce veteran Eric Jackson and his wife Racheal recently launched a parking and transfer service for passengers travelling through Townsville Airport. Picture: Evan Morgan

Conveniently located within sight of the airport on a busy road, the former Northern Vehicle Placements car yard was recommended by Ray White Commercial director Troy Townsend as the ideal location for the family business.

It has a secure space for up to 80 vehicles to be parked either indoors, under shade or uncovered – depending on how much you were prepared to pay.

Retired airforce veteran Eric Jackson and his wife Racheal recently launched a parking and transfer service for passengers travelling through Townsville Airport. Picture: Evan Morgan

“People can just go to our website … do an online registration and booking … they come in, park their car … drop off their keys and pay (if they hadn’t already online) … take their bags out of the car, and we get them in the bus, drive them out straight to the airport,” Mr Jackson said.

“Then on the way back, I obviously keep an eye on the flights and any delays and when their flight lands, I send them a text message and let them know I’m out the front, and then pick them up and take them back and their cars ready to drive out the gate when they get back.”

He said people were really enjoying the personalised service, especially those travelling to the airport from places like the Burdekin, Bowen, Richmond and Ingham.

“We’re getting a lot of calls from people all over the place who obviously want to come in and use our facility. Word of mouth is a big one (for referrals) at the moment … because they know that they’re saving money,” he said.

They signed a lease for 12 months, with further options to renew, to “see whether the business would take off” and he hoped that the community would get behind the idea.

Mr Townsend said he kept in touch with the Jacksons for six months while he kept an eye out for the right property.

Ray White Commercial Townsville director Troy Townsend. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“(Mr Jackson) was looking for something with good exposure and close to the airport, and that was the most suitable property we could find – you can see the airport from the front gate,” Mr Townsend said.

“He’s leased 2400 sqm of land on Duckworth St, which is fully secure with security cameras, undercover parking and an admin office, so it was virtually move-in ready for what Eric wanted to do.”

For more information, visit: www.jacksons-parkingandtransfers.com.au.

Originally published as Jackson’s Parking and Transfers offers secure parking and lifts to and from airport