Reagan National Airport manager discusses parking changes

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Beginning later this month, higher parking fees will take effect at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which is undergoing many improvements. The economy parking will cost a maximum of $10 per day, daily parking will have a $17 maximum daily cost and hourly parking will cost a maximum of $36 per day. Paul Malandrino, the airport’s manager, discusses what’s going on.

Why are the new parking fees needed?

It has been almost four years since we adjusted the parking rates at Reagan National. We decided to increase the maximum daily charge in our parking facilities but not the rates calculated per hour. The cost of operating the airport’s facilities has increased over time, and we plan to invest in an expansion of our parking garages next year. However, the size of the property limits how much parking can be built here.

Besides the new prices, will travelers notice anything else new or different?

Yes, we are planning to open a Valet Parking lot in mid-November. We have converted a small daily surface lot near Garage A into the Valet lot, where we will be able to park more cars. We hope that will help free up other parking spaces around the airport. Additionally, we are increasing other available public parking by approximately 250 spaces by the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

What other changes are taking place at the airport?

Inside the airport, there are a number of new eateries under construction which plan to open in the coming weeks. They are distributed around the terminals pre-security and post-security. We recognize that our passengers come early and want a variety of restaurant options to choose from.

What advice you have for Thanksgiving travelers?

Come early. About two to 2 1/2 hours would be best for domestic flights and three hours for international flights during the peak travel time. The airlines are telling us that flights will be quite full over the holidays and that translates into crowds at the ticket counters and at the security checkpoints. At Reagan National and at Dulles International we expect to be busy the week before Thanksgiving in addition to the usual holiday crowds during Thanksgiving week.