Bradley Airport adds 1,500 parking spaces as lots fill up during peak travel
Travelers flying out of Bradley International Airport may soon have an easier time finding a parking spot.
The airport is moving forward with plans to add approximately 1,500 new parking spaces as demand continues to grow and existing lots frequently reach capacity during peak travel periods.
For passengers like Windham resident Jillian Dauria, the expansion is welcome news.
“You have to prepare to come and catch your flight,” Dauria said. “If some of the lots aren’t available, you’re spending more time looking for parking, and it’s confusing.”
With a 10-day trip ahead of them, Dauria said her family initially planned to use one of the airport’s less expensive parking lots. However, by the time they arrived, those lots were full.
“So we ended up parking in the garage, and it’s a lot more expensive,” she said.
Airport officials say experiences like Dauria’s highlight the need for additional parking capacity.
“We can certainly get close to capacity,” said Brian Spyros, public information officer for Bradley International Airport. “That’s why it’s really important to have those additional parking spaces for our passengers.”
The new surface parking lot will be built in the airport’s former rental car area and will add around 1,500 parking spaces. Officials say that once the project is complete, Bradley will have added more than 2,000 parking spaces overall through recent expansion efforts.
Construction to expand Surface Lot 3 on Schoephoester Road will grow the lot by about 14 acres.
The parking project comes as Bradley continues to see growth in passenger traffic and undergoes several upgrades to improve the travel experience.
Airport leaders say the additional parking is part of a broader effort to prepare for future demand while making the airport more efficient for travelers.
“It will really enhance the passenger experience and make the airport more efficient,” Spyros said.
Officials expect the parking expansion project to be completed sometime early next year.
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