COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — It is no secret Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International is the world’s busiest airport.
But starting Monday morning, there is a new challenge for travelers who intended to park in nearby lots when they fly out.
The South Economy Lot shut down at 11:59 Sunday night and won’t reopen until 2026!
"Its going to be a huge inconvenience for me because I normally park at the airport," said frequent flyer Terrance Wilson.
The current economy lot has 3,000 parking spaces but the new structure will have 6,700 once complete
To make room for the overflow, officials have reopened previously closed sections of the North Parking deck and that’s what traveler Argne’ Randolph said he’s going to have to use.
However, that will also mean added distance, with Randolph adding "It's gonna take a little longer and it will be an inconvenience for sure."
As for Wilson, he said he's planning to turn to Uber and MARTA as ways of ensuring he gets to future flights on time.
Alternative parking options for the Atlanta Airport
Airport officials are offering advice for people who typically use the South Economy, including reserving a parking space before getting to the airport or using one of the park-and-ride lots.
Park-and-ride lots are off-site lots that will shuttle you to the airport, many of them situated around Camp Creek Parkway no more than a few miles from the airport. Some of those options include Pre Flight, Park 'N Fly, and Park'N Ticket.
There's also the West deck, which is a short Skytrain ride away and additional options that include using International Terminal parking (domestic travelers can go through security at International and then take the Plane Train to their domestic terminal) or parking at a MARTA station with long-term garage parking.
But the most important advice is to give yourself more time to park so that you make it onto your flight.