Jacksonville, FL — Finding a parking spot at the Jacksonville International Airport is about to get easier.
After a number of closures in recent weeks because lots and garages have reached capacity, WOKV has now confirmed an additional parking lot, known as Economy 3, will be opening up permanently on Monday, July 1st.
Economy Lot 3 has generally only been used during Thanksgiving and the Christmas to New Year’s stretch.
Debbie Jones, Public Relations Manager for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, says the new permanent lot should ease a lot of the pressure.
"There are about 1,000 additional spaces [in that lot], so we believe that will certainly take care of the crunch we've had with parking over the last, well, several months, really," says Jones.
As for what's behind this surge in parking problems, Jones says a number of factors are at play.
"We have experienced double-digit growth at least the last 18 or 19 consecutive months. So, that's unprecedented in the history of the airport to date. And so, with the additional flights we've added for our community, that brings in more passengers, and more passengers means more stresses on our parking," explains Jones.
To help serve this new lot, Jones says the airport is adding additional shuttles and shuttle drivers. The cost for this lot will be $5 a day, so a little less than Economy 1 and 2.
The airport still recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight departure, in case your preferred parking area isn't available.