Travelers and airline passengers returning to Asheville Regional Airport over the past few days may have been shocked to find that vehicles parked in the short-term parking lot nearest the main terminal had been moved to adjacent lots, as the airport cleared the way for construction to begin on its new parking garage.
Prior to the official October 3 construction start date, airport officials contracted a local towing company to move 287 vehicles parked within the construction zone, says Tina Kinsey, director of marketing, public relations and air service with Asheville Regional Airport. “We towed some cars over to available spaces in the long-term lot, and then some were moved to the Credit Card Only Lot,” she explains, “which is just past the terminal on the right. It’s all close by, right there next to the terminal.
One frustrated resident, who declined to be named, expressed frustration that airport officials did not do enough to warn drivers that the lot would be closed. “The parking lot was full [when we left our car there],” the source says. “When we came back last night, the cars were all gone. “The problem that I have was not only was this not marked, there were no signs. I was sold a ticket to park in the lot, and not a word was mentioned about it. Hundreds of cars were moved without permission.”
Kinsey, however, says that the airport had done everything it could to inform the public of the impending lot closure in the weeks leading up to the towing. “We actually implemented signage three weeks ago,” she says, including signs on digital billboards at the main entrance, signs at the entrance to the parking area where drivers receive their ticket and numerous signs around the actual construction zone, in addition to publishing information on the impending closure on the airport’s website and social media accounts, as well as press releases published in numerous local media outlets.
“We also installed signs on the walkways to the terminal, so that people would see them as they walked up, and then we had digital signs on our LCD screens throughout the terminal reminding people that cars would be towed starting September 30,” Kinsey adds. “We had very positive intentions, and worked to try and communicate with folks.”
Kinsey says that the airport was unable to block off the lot ahead of construction due to the high volume of traffic coming in and out of the lot prior to its closing. “If you think about an airport, we’re in operation 24/7,” she notes. “The construction location is right in front of the terminal, so it’s the spots everybody wants. It’s always full of cars, and there really is no [way] to block it off.”
In response to concerns that cars may have been damaged during the towing process, Kinsey assures patrons that “We took great care in documenting every step of the process, respecting our passengers’ vehicles. We certainly didn’t want to tow vehicles, but it was something we had to do if they remained in the lot past the date.”
For returning passengers whose car may have been moved, Kinsey says that signage along the fence of the construction area provides a number that passengers can call for assistance. “Also, in baggage claim at our guest services desk, our service clerks are always there and ready to help,” she notes.
The Asheville Regional Airport’s parking garage project will continue over the next twelve months, and is expected to add 1,300 parking spaces. In the meantime, Kinsey says that the airport will be running shuttles to a lot across the street from the airport’s main entrance, adjacent to the Fairfield Inn. the temporary lot is a pre-paid lot by the day, at $6 per day. “Then we have our credit card only lot just past the terminal on the right,” Kinsey adds. “We have plenty of parking, even though we’ve had to displace parking from that location.”
For more information and updates on construction and parking at the Asheville Regional Airport, visit flyavl.com/about-the-airport/news-statistics/.
people are so clueless these days. THEY DO NOT EVEN READ SIGNS and NOTICES posted on the lot that was closing. Im sure there are notices posted on the doors as well leading into the terminal.
Great title for an article.
I just hope the Asheville Airport does not have snakes on a plane, otherwise I’m gonna get you sucka.
Lol, If only there was a report of a snake on a plane. That lead writes itself…..
I definitely saw the signs and I was parked way out in section ‘W’ (left Sept. 15, back on the 29th.)
“Since I’m rich enough to afford long term parking in the short term lot, I’m also too important to waste my time reading signs.”