VERO BEACH — As Vero Beach Regional Airport prepares to welcome its third commercial carrier, officials are floating the idea of introducing paid parking to handle the expected influx of travelers and vehicles.
Airport Director Todd Scher suggested the change could help manage growing pains at the facility, which has seen parking complaints rise even before the full rollout of new flights. With Breeze Airways already operating and JetBlue and American Airlines set to join soon, the airport anticipates a sharp increase in passenger traffic.
“There will be a place to park, but depending on the day and the circumstances, it might not be convenient,” Scher said in a released statement.
The push for paid long-term parking stems from last year’s holiday crunch with Breeze, when spots filled up quickly and forced some drivers to circle or park farther away. Scher described parking as the airport’s most pressing issue, with plans possibly including an employee lot to free up short-term spaces.
City officials have debated the airport’s expansion woes in recent meetings, weighing options like shuttle services between lots and the terminal to ease congestion. No firm timeline or costs for paid parking have been set, but Scher noted the need for upgrades like expanded lots and better janitorial services to keep pace with demand.
Vero Beach has boomed since Breeze’s arrival in 2023. Halfway through this year, passenger numbers neared 1,000 on peak days, straining the small airport’s infrastructure.
American Airlines’ new nonstop flights to Charlotte, launching alongside JetBlue’s routes, mark a big step for Indian River County by offering more connections but also testing the airport’s limits. The carrier is expected to make its debut in Vero Beach in 2026.
Scher remains optimistic, saying the changes will ultimately benefit travelers. He noted that the airport can handle three airlines, as American’s plan is for one flight per day using a relatively small aircraft with only 76 seats, which should not create too much additional strain on the facility.
