Parking is already nearly full at Sarasota Bradenton airport at Thanksgiving time
The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, and parking was already running out at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on Tuesday.
With long-term parking full — all 954 spaces — and short-term parking mostly full — 433 spaces — cars were being diverted to overflow lots.
About 600 spaces were opened up on the new ramp that will serve the planned ground-level terminal expected to open in late 2024.
Travelers could also choose the new holiday discount parking at 8101 North Tamiami Trail, near Dolphin Aviation.
“We only have to do that two times a year, at Thanksgiving and at Christmas,” Mark Stuckey, executive vice president of SRQ, said of the apron parking.
Altogether with its overflow lots, SRQ has about 4,428 parking spaces available, but even that is not enough.
Adding to the travel load at SRQ this year is the damage that Hurricane Ian did to the Fort Myers area.
Some travelers who might have originally planned to fly into Fort Myers are instead choosing SRQ, said Rick Piccolo, the airport’s president and CEO.
Expansion projects at SRQ to help keep up with growth don’t yet include a parking garage. A study would be needed to develop a location, size and number of stories. Grant money is not available for parking garages, unlike many other aspects of an airport expansion.
This story was originally published November 22, 2022 at 4:25 PM.
