Over the past several months, airport parking has tightened to the breaking point. Acting airport chief Charles Isdell said passengers should plan their trips to the airport with the same care they plan the rest of their itineraries. But I think it's serious enough we want to get the word out . . . Passengers will do themselves a favor by giving themselves some extra time, thinking about what day of the week it is and whether there's another way to get to your terminal . . . whether it's trying out the railroad line or having someone drive you there. Blame the booming national economy.
Business travel is at record levels and people have more money for personal travel than ever.
Over the past seven years, the number of passengers using Philadelphia International Airport has gone up 50 percent. More than 65,000 passengers a day are leaving or arriving. In the same period, the number of parking spaces at the airport hasn't changed. The Philadelphia Parking Authority broke ground last month for a couple of new parking garages to add 5,400 new spaces to the airport mix. But it will take at least another six months before any new spaces are available, and until January 2002 to get all 5,400 spaces.