Free Parking Policies for Government Leaders Vary By Airport

The March 12 issue of Aviation Daily's Airports includes my story (see here for free) on parking policies for government officials at airports.  It was prompted by a story I read in the Austin American-Statesmen about a controversy on who could and could not get free parking at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

I polled some of the larger U.S. airports and found to my surprise that only Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports did not offer free parking for government officials.  The rest offered it to varying degrees.  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport -- the world's busiest -- offers free parking to city, county and state officials but not their family members, said spokesman DeAllous Smith.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's eligible free parkers include the governors of New York and New Jersey; the speakers of the two states' assemblies and the presidents of the state senates; and the mayors of municipalities in which port authority airports are located.  "Also included are vehicles carrying or waiting for the President and vice president of the United States, our four U.S. senators, congressional representatives from within the port authority district, chiefs of staff from the U.S. military branches and foreign ambassadors and consuls general," said spokesman Pasquale DiFulco. The benefit is available at any airport lot, he added.

Houston Intercontinental offers courtesy parking cards to key city, county, state and federal officials, along with eligible diplomatic corps members, said spokeswoman Marlene McClinton. The cards may be used at any of the city-owned parking lots and spouses and family members are not eligible for free parking, she added.

Las Vegas McCarran International Airport provides parking cards to elected and government officials and some private parties who do business on behalf of the public, including contractors, lobbyists and representatives of public agencies, said spokesman Chris Jones. "The cards can only be used when traveling on official business. They are not transferable, and cardholders are subject to pay for parking fees incurred if they fail to meet proper use conditions," he stated.

Denver International Airport has been offering free parking to members of the city council, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the state's congressional delegation and diplomatic consuls for 27 years, said spokesman Chuck Cannon. "They can use any lot except for valet and short-term parking, and the benefit is only available to the officials, not spouses or families," he said.

Los Angeles World Airports offers free parking at LAX to designated federal, state, LA county, and LA city elected officials while they are on business, said spokesman Tom Winfrey. It does not extend to spouses and family members, he added.