Busy Punta Gorda Airport causes parking overflow

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- As thousands make their way through the Punta Gorda Airport this holiday season, parking lots are overflowing and passengers are now being bussed to the terminal.

“This is tremendous, we haven’t seen this kind of activity at the airport since… well never!” said Pam Seay, Airport Authority Council member.

All the people flying in and out of the new Bailey terminal is creating a parking crunch. Overflow parking signs are posted as people search for a spot.

Airport officials say they don’t want passengers to worry. If the long-term parking closest to the airport is full, they’ve got two overflow lots ready for flyers. People who park in the overflow lots pay a flat rate of $20, as opposed to $11 a day.

To make the commute from the make-shift lots to the airport, officials brought in county buses to shuttle people back and forth.

“This is Merry Christmas for all of us out here, to see so many people,” said Seay.