Worried about getting a parking spot at the airport?
Soon, travelers will have the option of reserving a parking spot at any of the on-site parking lots operated by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport, provided they’re willing to pay a $2 reservation fee and transaction fee and prepay for their parking stay.
Under the new system, travelers will be able to go online to and reserve a spot at TIA’s hourly and daily lots in front of the terminal, in the terminal garage or in the economy and covered economy lots on East Corona Road.
A start date for the service has not yet been set, but after some testing in the next week the airport is looking to do a soft launch later this month, said David Hatfield, senior director of air-service development and marketing for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Airport Authority.
Hatfield said the airport decided to offer reserved parking after getting requests from passengers.
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While TIA’s parking lots are rarely full, Hatfield said, demand has increased since solar covers were installed over the front lots and the garage parking has filled for brief periods of time.
“It gives them peace of mind knowing this is a detail they can take care of and pay for ahead of time and not wait to the last minute,†he said. “This will be especially appreciated by leisure travelers who prefer to pay for their travel expenses ahead of time.â€
The system also will allow for faster entry and exit from the parking facilities and includes email receipts, Hatfield said, noting that the airport regularly gets receipt requests from people who lost theirs or forgot to get one.
The reservations system will be closely monitored by the airport’s parking management firm, Ace Parking, to assure availability of reserved spaces, Hatfield said. The TAA board approved the plan in December as part of its renewed contract with Ace Parking.
Here’s how the system will work:
- Reservations must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of planned arrival, and the reservation must be paid for at the time of booking with a credit or debit card.
- Customers will receive a confirmation that includes a QR code, a type of barcode, and like an airline boarding pass, the confirmation can either be scanned at the gate from a mobile device or printed.
- Once inside, customers will be able to park in any open space.
- When the customer retrieves their vehicle, they will exit by scanning the same confirmation used to enter.
- Customers who stay longer than their original reservation will be required to pay the additional amount by credit card before exiting, while customers who leave early will be issued credit within a couple of days. Receipts will be sent by email.
- Passengers won’t be required to reserve parking spaces, and the airport will continue to monitor and post parking availability at all facilities on .
TIA’s parking rates are relatively low, starting at $4.50 per day in the economy shuttle lot or $6 for economy covered parking, and topping out at $10 a day in the front daily lot and the terminal garage.
The hourly parking lot is $1 per 30 minutes, up to a maximum $13 per day.
A 2016 survey conducted for Airports Council International - North America and the International Parking Institute showed that 17% of airports surveyed in the U.S. and Canada offered some kind of “premium†parking product, such as reservations, memberships or guaranteed spaces.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, customers get a discount for reserving and prepaying for their on-site parking.
Parking at Sky Harbor starts at $7 a day for one economy park-and-walk lot, with other options ranging from $10 to $27 a day.
Some airports charge far more than a couple of bucks for a reserved space.
At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, reserved parking costs $10 per space, per day — plus the regular cost of parking.
Photos: TIA in historyÂ
Photos: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport history in photos

Curtiss biplanes from the U.S. Army Air Corps at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in 1933.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in Feb. 1933.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport (now Davis-Monthan AFB) in Feb. 1933.

Runway lights at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport, likely ca 1940s.

An old control tower at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport, now known as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport. In the background are three hangars, one of which served as the old terminal building. Passengers waited in the shade of a long porch that extended from the terminal before walking to the airplane and climbing portable stairs to board the plane. The three hangars were the first buildings erected at the airport when it opened at its present location in the 1940s. They are still standing, and are located on the airport's west ramp.Â

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Airport Authority "Rainbow" tower. Each layer painted a different color. Circa 1950.

Artist's rendering of what the control tower and operations building at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport will look like, January 14, 1957.

The new ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport control tower shortly after completion in 1958

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport iconic control tower in September, 1968.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport tower in 1985.

A time exposure at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in December, 1978. The lines are navigation lights from jets taking off.

The terminal building at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport, now known as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport. Passengers waited in the shade of a long porch that extended from the terminal before walking to an airplane and climbing portable stairs to board the plane.

Passenger ramp under construction at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport in 1948. Looking southeast from the original terminal building on the west side of the airport.

A pilot exits an F-84F Thunderstreak of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard during the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.

Spectators watch ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.

Maj. Philip Colman streaks along the runway at 700 mph in an F-84F Thunderstreak as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard fighter jets compete in the Ricks Memorial Trophy contest at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on July 29, 1957. In the 1950s and 1960s the Air National Guard conducted the annual contest, a cross country timed air race designed to showcase the newly formed Air National Guard.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport air traffic controllers "scramble" Air National Guard fighter interceptor jets in March, 1959.

An ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard F-100 fighter takes off from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in June, 1965.

A new restaurant, left, opened with the RONtel Motel for "transient aviation" at the base of the tower at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in 1960. Both buildings were designed by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ architect Arthur Brown.

The U.S. Weather Bureau office in 1959, near the flight line at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport provided weather information for pilots and weather reports for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ residents.

Hangers on the west side of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in 1970. The hangers were built in 1940s by Consolidated Vultee for modifications to B-24 bombers.

Vehicles pour out of the Grand Central Aircraft Company and other businesses at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport onto Nogales Highway in February, 1952. The Hughes Aircraft Co. building is under construction in the upper left corner. Note the Southern Pacific steam locomotive puffing down the tracks and what look to be Boeing B-29 bombers from WWII on the tarmac at Grand Central.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Municipal Airport in 1955 before the iconic Tower was constructed. Photo taken looking southeast. Hangers on the west side of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in 1970. The hangers were built in 1940s by Consolidated Vultee for modifications to B-24 bombers.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport manager Charles Broman interrupts welder Paul Allison while admiring his work on a new ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airport sign on Valencia Road in 1964.

High altitude aerial photo of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in 1970.

The new terminal at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in 1963: The car ramp at right leads from the passenger unloading area.

The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport passenger terminals under construction in March, 1963.

A 1963 photograph of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport looking towards the southwest.

A 1963 photo of the construction of the terminal at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport.

Construction of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport, May 11, 1963.

Thomas G. Hickey (left), Sky Chef manager in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, and Charles Broman, TAA general manager, examine the lobby in the new airline terminal at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on Nov. 15, 1963.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in September, 1968.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport passenger concourse in September, 1968.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport passenger gates in September, 1968.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport control tower in September, 1971.

Aerial view of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport terminal and the approach road on March 28, 1966.

Undated aerial of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on the bottom along with Hughes Aircraft, later Raytheon. Photo is looking north toward the Santa Catalina Mountains on the right.

In this July 13, 1984 photo, Joseph Bonanno, a reputed mafia figure, walks through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport with his family after his parole from a federal prison in Lexington, Ky. Bonanno served nearly eight months of a 366 day sentence for obstructing justice.

Cactus Little League Team arrives at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on August 28, 1973 after winner the championships.

On September 18, 1974, convicted California mass slayers Douglas E. Gretzer (with sack in front of face) and Willie L. Steelman were returned to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ from Vacaville Prision to face murder charges. The two men were hustled to the jail from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport under heavy police guard.

Travelers arriving at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport look for their luggage on Dec. 22, 1977.

New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, left, and actress Ann-Margaret arrived at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on April, 10, 1970, and were greeted by a "posse" who branded them as horse thieves. The two were in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for filming of the movie, "C.C. Ryder and Company," written by Ann-Margaret's husband, Roger Smith (a University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ graduate).

Linda Ronstadt arrives at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on Sept. 16, 1976 for a benefit concert for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-Sonora Desert Museum.

Sen. Lyndon Johnson's campaign plane at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on Sept. 15, 1960, during a Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign event. His motorcade is assembled in foreground. Johnson flew first to Phoenix. He "hand-shook and child-hugged his way through a small crowd," according to the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.

Actress Jayne Mansfield with boyfriend (later husband) MIckey Hargitay, left, and notable actor Broderick Crawford at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in March, 1957. The trio was in town for a party at a local dude ranch. Actress Mariska Hargitay is their daughter.

Riding with from airport with John F. Kennedy during the Democratic Presidential candidate's 1960 visit to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ were City Democratic Chairman David Ginsburg, County Vice Chairman Joe Huerta, Mayor Don Hummel and County Democratic Chairman Frank Minarik. From "Jack Sheaffer's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 1945-1965."

Robert F. Kennedy is greeted by many admirers at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport during his campaign. He is to speak at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. March 29, 1968.

Texas Governor/Republican Presidential candidate George W. Bush Jr., greeted by Ray Castillo, Repub. Ward 1 candidate, Bob Walkup, Repub. mayoral candidate, Rick Grinnell, Repub. ward 2 candidate and Jim Click at the Executive terminal of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Int. Airport in 1999.


Bernie Martin, an air traffic controller at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport, watches from his perch 10-stories above the tarmac as he keeps an eye on air traffic in 2005. Martin has been working as a controller with the FAA since 1981.

An ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard KC-135 tanker makes a low pass over the iconic control tower at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

It is one of the Busiest days of the year at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport. Here Passengers pick up there luggage from a flight on Dec. 23, 1997.

The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport tower in 2000.

Air traffic controller Ryan Holaway watches the airspace over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport from the control tower, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

Monique Medina waits for her mother to pick her up from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on Nov. 20, 2007, after spending 24 hours trying to get home from New York City were she attends School.

Ceiling tiles are down as renovations taking place at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in May, 2007, in what will be formerly known as the A concourse.

On patrol: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ National Guard has been called on to provide a new element of security at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on Oct. 9, 2001.

U.S. Air Force staff sergeant Garrett Wilkes gets to hold his one-month old son Colton for the first time after returning from duty at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport on June 20, 2013.

An ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air National Guard F16 takes off as it passes the $42 million control tower which is under construction during regular daily activities at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in April, 2015.


The new air traffic control tower, right, is juxtaposed with the older, more familiar tower at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport in Nov. 2015.

Air traffic controllers watch for traffic from the new 252 foot tall ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air Traffic Control Tower on September 23, 2016.Â
Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: