Tri-Cities Airport parking fees might be going up, but there’s an upside
Short-term parking rates at the Tri-Cities Airport could increase in a move meant to steer long-term parkers away from the front door.
Port of Pasco staff are recommending a 56% increase in the daily fee to use the limited lot nearest the main entrance. If approved, the first hour will be free, but the daily fee will rise to $25 from $16.
The port’s elected commission will consider parking rates at its regular business meeting, 9:30 a.m., Nov. 12, 1110 Osprey Point Blvd., Suite 201.
The parking fee proposal would boost long-term parking rates by $2, to $14, a day, and would leave fees for the credit card lot at $12 a day.
Buck Taft, airport manager, hopes that making close-in parking more expensive will ensure the lot is used as intended, by short-term visitors dropping off passengers or stopping by the terminal to buy tickets or other business.
Driven by congestion
Congestion is driving the discussion.
According to a study of parking patterns, long-term parkers use the short-term lot since it doesn’t cost much more under the current system. That crowds out short-term visitors and leads to more traffic on the front loop, a safety and traffic issue.
The move comes as the port contemplates strategies to meet rising demand for parking as more Tri-Citians use the airport and its five airlines fly larger planes with more seats.
“The transition to larger aircraft, coupled with the continued growth of the region, has placed an increased strain on the terminal and parking facilities,” it said.
Nearly half a million travelers boarded planes at the Tri-Cities Airport in 2024. In 2025, demand was running an average of 7% above the previous year but fell off in September.
The port added 500 spots to the credit card lot in 2024 and said it still had to occasionally turn away vehicles over capacity issues.
Major revenue source
Parking fees are among the most important source of revenue for the port, which owns and operates the local airport. Parking fees will generate about $5.5 million for the port in 2026, according to its proposed budget for the coming year.
Parking fees are a critical source of revenue to support the airport. The port notes it has recently embarked on the first phase to a 10-year, $138 million project to expand the passenger terminal. Parking revenues are one of the main sources to fund the work.
The airport does not rely on property taxes paid by Port of Pasco property owners.
Proposed changes
- Short term lot (closest to terminal) - Daily rate rises to $25 with 60-minute grace period. Hourly rate of $2 after the grace period.
- Long-term lot (blue) - Daily rate rises to $14, with a 30-minute grace period and $2 hourly rate.
- Credit card lot (green) - Daily rate unchanged at $12, with no grace period and a $2 hourly rate.
Future need
The port anticipates it will need 440 to 905 new parking stalls by 2033, depending on whether demand for air travel grows by 3% or 5%. It has averaged 4% in recent years.
It has enough land to add 440 spaces. It would have to construct a parking garage at an estimated cost of $45,000 per spot to accommodate more vehicles.
The fee increase will help support debt for future terminal projects, the potential parking garage and the creation of an airport shuttle service by the end of 2027.