NORFOLK, Va. — Summer travel is almost here, and Norfolk International Airport expects to see a large volume of passengers, which could impact parking at the facility.
Airport leaders are seeing more travelers and expect to hit parking capacity sometime in the future.
“We got 17 consecutive months of record-setting travel,” Norfolk International Airport Executive Vice President Steve Sterling told 13News Now.
In April 2024, the airport reported a 5.5% increase in passenger activity compared to the previous year. Sterling believes there are several reasons behind the increased travel. He says more destinations are being offered, more people would instead fly than drive, and more airlines are offering affordable flights.
Some Virginia residents say they have noticed more travelers at the airport.
“I guess it would probably depend on the time of day and how many flights are leaving at one time,” said Virginia resident Douglass Brown.
However, if you want to reserve a parking space, Sterling says the airport is offering its parking perk program to travelers. The program allows people to reserve the parking space online. In addition to reserving a parking space, Sterling says when you sign up for the program, you will receive a discount to park.
Once you book your parking space, you will receive a QR code to enter and exit the parking lots.
While Sterling says parking has not reached full capacity, he believes it could change in the Summer months.
“We could see a couple of peak days, whether during the summer or perhaps during the holidays, the peak travel season when the parking lots and parking garages are busier than they have been in the past.