In a recent flurry of updates, McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville has announced a raft of changes and expansions to its parking and services, bracing itself for a record-breaking influx of summer travelers. According to WATE, beginning June 1, the airport will merge and rebrand its long-term and short-term parking lots into combined garage and surface lot parking—with prices holding steady at $22 and $16 per day, respectively.
Seemingly catching up with the region's growth, the airport is renovating its parking options just on the heels of hitting its busiest year, serving over 2.8 million travelers in 2023. Despite facing "some growing pains," as detailed on the airport's Facebook post, McGhee Tyson is adding new Economy Lot D & E, which, when called upon during peak times, will provide overflow parking at $11 per day.
The parking changes coincide with the airport preparing for a passenger traffic wave, projected to surpass 3 million in the current year, and 1.2 million passengers from May to August alone, as reported by Knox News. McGhee Tyson is also planning to swap out regional jets for larger aircraft on select routes, offering Knox County residents more options for their summer getaways.
Eyeing the future, the airport is gearing up to construct a new six-story parking garage that promises over 3,000 additional spaces, shared by WVLT. The garage is part of a larger infrastructural uplift pegged at $180 million, with a completion date set for 2026. While the upgrades unfold, shuttle services are confirmed to run for Economy Lot C—a shuttle ride away from the terminal—for the reasonable fare of $11 a day.
As the airport accommodates growth and more headers for the skies, some airline employees were left expressing concerns over parking conditions, specifically being relegated to an unpaved lot. In response, the airport committed to a solution—an area compacted with gravel and a sand-like substance to create a "more-solid surface." This move, alongside the wide-ranging parking changes, is McGhee Tyson's answer to the evolving demands of Knoxville's travelers, ensuring that even in its busiest times, the hub remains ready to serve the skies.
