COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The ongoing terminal project at John Glenn Columbus International Airport has brought noticeable changes for travelers, including parking adjustments and traffic pattern shifts.
To help passengers and visitors get around, the airport has announced expanded parking options and provides real-time availability for each lot on its website. In a news release, the organization said the Red Shuttle and Green Shuttle Lots have been enlarged. Customers are encouraged to make a parking plan using the online tools before arriving.
On the airport website, pricing and real-time parking availability — indicated as full or open, are included for:
- Garage parking, including short-term ($6 first hour, $30 per 24-hour period) and long-term ($7 first hour $24 per 24-hour period).
- Shuttle lots, consists of the Red lot ($11 per 24-hour period) and the Green lot ($9 per 24-hour period, first hour free).
- The Walking lot ($16 per 24-hour period).
- Valet parking ($16 first hour, $30 per 24-hour period).
For those picking up or dropping off loved ones, the airport offers these options:
- The free Cell Phone Waiting Lot allows parking until curbside pickup can be timed.
- The Green Lot, offers a one-hour grace period, allowing drivers to exit within the timeframe free of charge.
- Garage parking, family and friends can be greeted in the airport outside the security checkpoint for each concourse, or in baggage claim.
Visitors should note that the Cell Phone Lot has been moved temporarily behind the John Glenn International sign on International Gateway. This change has inspired social media reactions about its size, configuration, and signage.
“I am at John Glenn International, in their new cell phone lot,” said one poster on Nextdoor. “It is way too small for the purpose, parking spaces are poorly situated, and very small. I am driving a Ram truck … my front end is sticking out into the aisle about four feet. … There is only one sign right at the entrance and it is orange, just like the 50 or 60 construction traffic signs … so it is very easy to miss.”
“Lots of construction around the airport,” a panicked poster wrote. “The Cell Phone lot is completely gone. Not sure where to park if you are in need of waiting for someone flying in?”
“Cell phone lot on left,” offered a helpful commenter to the post. “Follow signs for rental car then turn in before rental bld.”
According to the airport, the Cell Phone Lot can be accessed from both east and west directions on International Gateway, but must exit heading east only.
Additional amenities exist for parkers as well. An ezPark access card allows easy entry and exit from any CMH parking lot or garage by auto-debiting the user’s debit or credit card. Executive parking provides designated parking spaces in the CMH garage, with express lanes to make trips more convenient.
The airport does not allow curbside parking, and unattended vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed.