Parking Could Get Pricier At Dallas Love Field

Parking rates at Dallas Love Field could be raised as garages fill and air travel continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to information presented at a Dallas City Council briefing. 

Per the proposal, prices would be raised $1 per day from $15 to $16 in the airport’s oldest garage – Garage A. The biggest jump would be in the cheapest garage to park in on the property, Garage B, which would be raised from $9 per day to $13. 

“As customer demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, parking rates need to be adjusted to reduce demand,” the presentation read.

Traffic at the airport remains below pre-pandemic levels, and changes in travel patterns are prompting airports to adjust. For example, a larger percentage of travelers are leisure travelers, rather than business travelers, and more likely to drive and park, while taxi and rideshare use remains below pre-pandemic levels, city officials say, because of issues like fear of spreading COVID-19, and gas prices. As a result, parking garages are full even though traffic hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“Low availability results in customers circling garages looking for spaces which results in congestion and customer frustration,” the presentation continued.

Love Field has about 12,000 spaces available among its three garages. 

Love Field lowered parking rates in 2018 after the opening of garage C to stimulate demand for parking, and the rate change would bring the rates closer to 2018 levels. For instance, the rate was reduced from $17 in 2017 to $15 in 2018 for Garage A. 

To view the presentation, visit this website.

The issue is expected to come back before the Dallas City Council.