CLEARWATER, Fla. — Officials at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) expect their four parking lots will hit capacity at some point during Thanksgiving week, a sign that the influx in flights is pushing the small airport toward capacity.
The airport’s interim director, Mark Sprague, said PIE has grown 15% in just the last 12 months.
What You Need To Know
- 60 additional flights scheduled at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) during Thanksgiving week
- All parking lot expected to fill up by late Wednesday
- No way to check parking lot availability online
- PIE has seen 15% grown in the last 12 months
While a typical weekly flight capacity is roughly 250 arrivals and departures, during Thanksgiving week the airport has over 300 flights scheduled.
“We only have 14 gates, and we can accommodate all 14,” he said. “Instead of having lulls throughout the day, it will be nonstop with people flying in and out but something the airport can still handle.”
The big hiccup is parking. Sprague said they are expecting the paved long-term lot to be at capacity by Tuesday and by Wednesday every economy lot could be full as well.
“We don’t know which ones are going to be open because it’s based on availability,” he said.
There is currently no way to check parking availability online. Sprague stressed to arrange a ride to and from the airport during the peak travel days next week.
While a typical weekly flight capacity at PIE is roughly 250 arrivals and departures, during Thanksgiving week the airport has over 300 flights scheduled. (Spectrum News/Angie Angers)
Aviation consultant Kari Goetz says the fast growth of smaller airports like PIE and Lakeland Linder International Airport, can be partly attributed to the rise of the ultra low cost airlines.
“Airports are ultimately landlords,” she said. “They have the house airlines want to fly to.”
Goetz said airports make money by charging for landing fees, gate fees, sometimes baggage fees, and staff offices. Smaller airports charge airlines less than the large bases like Tampa International or Orlando International, which attract the ultra low-cost carriers.
“PIE costs less than TPA. TPA tries to stay competitive with Orlando,” she said.
The ultra low-cost carriers are also breaking into small airports that haven’t hosted commercial flights in decades. Avelo is now flying out of Lakeland Linder for the first time in roughly 20 years, and offering direct flights to places like Long Island and New Haven for as low as $19 one-way.
“Because of our market, a lot of our airports are competing against each other,” Goetz explained. “The airlines are competing against each other in those destinations… so we as travelers really benefit and see some of the most competitively priced fares in the United States.”
To keep up with growth, PIE is working on plans for a parking garage that would add 1,700 new parking spots. The plans still need to be approved by county commissioners, but should it move forward the new garage could open in 2027.
