SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane International Airport is growing and parking options are following suit.
The airport is in the process of building a new 12-acre parking lot with 1,300 spaces. Airport spokesman Todd Woodard said the lot is situated between the inbound airport road and the Ramada Inn.
It is expected to open in mid-November.
The airport currently offers nearly 8,000 parking spaces.
“The problem today is at peak times, particularly in the winter months, we reach capacity,” Woodard said.
Existing lots also need routine maintenance because parking is at such a high level of capacity, but officials are unable to get the ball rolling, Woodard said. The economy lot needs significant pavement repairs but the airport does not have the capacity to close the lot. That is where the new spaces come in.
Business is booming at the airport. Last year, it saw 3.55 million passengers during its busiest year on record. At the beginning of May 2018, the airport already saw almost 14 percent more passengers than the same time last year.
Rates have not yet been discussed for the new parking lot. Right now, parking fees start at $2 for the first hour, and $10 for four hours or more in airport parking garages. The daily parking fee sits at $8 for outdoor sites and $4 for the economy lot. Concourse C parking costs $7.50 per day.
Construction for the new parking lot is already underway. It is being completed by N.A. Degerstrom Inc., of Spokane Valley.
