Travelers driving to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport soon will be able to park closer to the terminal — for a fee.
Airport officials plan to offer “preferred overnight parking” in the day parking lot directly in front of the terminal, charging $10 per day for the prime spots. They’re also looking to step up measures to enforce restrictions against parking in grassy areas at the airport.
Use of the day lot will remain free for those parking for just a few hours to pick up or drop off passengers, book flights or to visit airport businesses — including car rental agencies and DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse restaurant, stressed Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, which operates the airport.
He expects up to half of the 400 spaces in the lot initially will be available for paid overnight parking, noting the airport has agreed to maintain 150 free spaces for potential use by restaurant patrons.
“We’ve been asked for (overnight) parking in front of the building, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we make it available if they’re willing to pay for it?’ Monzo said. “We think it will be a good thing.”
The airport will continue to operate a shuttle to transport people to and from about 1,000 free overnight parking spaces that will remain available in lots farther away from the terminal.
But, Monzo noted, “Some people don’t like to ride the shuttle. They want to be right in front.”
The airport is easing visitors into the new parking pattern by restricting access to and from the day parking lot to a single entrance closest to the terminal.
Existing staff will be used to man a booth where all motorists will be given a dated tag as they enter, Monzo said. Those who leave their vehicle in the lot overnight or longer will be charged as they exit.
He said the paid program should begin as soon as tags are available.
Revenue generated will be used for parking lot maintenance or related projects, Monzo said, adding, “We’re not anticipating a large amount of money.”
Getting ‘the boot’
On Tuesday, the airport authority directed its solicitor to draft a resolution laying the groundwork for booting vehicles parked on airport grass.
“We have people who are insisting on parking in the grass,” Monzo said.
On days when regular lots are crowded, overflow parking has been allowed on the airport’s old runway, he said.
Demand for parking at the airport has increased along with the passenger count on flights by Spirit Airlines, the airport’s sole commercial carrier. Last year, 309,817 passengers passed through the Arnold Palmer terminal, up from 300,858 in 2018.
Monzo suggested charging a fee of $50 to have a boot removed. He noted the practice would be covered by the airport’s liability insurance, but the solicitor is verifying that the authority can take the measure under the state vehicle code.
Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)