Very few parking spots left at CLT Airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Spring breakers traveling out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport could have major issues finding a place to park.

There are 21,000 parking spots available but over the last two days almost all of those spots have been taken.

A look at the airport’s real-time parking map around 6:30 a.m. Thursday showed there were only a few spots available in their long-term lot and the self-parking lot.

Airport officials are encouraging travelers to plan ahead and use their online tools so they can book parking before arriving.

The airport tweeted out three different times Wednesday about parking because at some point all of their lots were sold out.

Staff encouraged travelers to use rideshares, take the bus or even have someone drop them off.

The Hourly parking decks did have some openings on Thursday, although it took time to find them.

“We couldn’t find a spot we were driving for like 15 minutes,” Nadhan Yamala told WBTV.

Yamala finally snagged a spot and said he wishes he’d gotten there earlier.

“I was nervous because I had to drop my relative and it’s an international flight,” he said.

Despite having 21,000 parking spots, due to demand that is not enough.

This issue might be lasting another five to six weeks, with many colleges either on spring break now or over the next few weeks. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is also scheduled to be on spring break from April 10 through April 14.

At various times of the day Thursday, the cell phone lot was also full.

“Parking is just out of control,” Audrey Golian said.

People picking up loved ones had to pack their patience.

“My sister and niece are coming from Kansas for break so I came early to make sure I could get a spot in the cell phone lot,” Juliana McCully said.

The best thing travelers can do if they are planning to travel over the next few weeks is to plan ahead and use the airport’s parking map.

Transportation Security Administration officials are encouraging people to get to CLT Airport early and be inside the airport at least two hours before their flight takes off.

You can also pre-book a spot in the new Express Deck Self Park which opens March 23rd.

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