Jacksonville International Airport fire disrupts parking for months

Key Takeaways

• Fire on May 16, 2025 damaged 50 cars and collapsed two floors of JAX’s hourly garage.
• Nearly 3,000 parking spots lost; all main airport lots are now full or nearly full.
• Travelers must use off-site parking, rideshare, or shuttles until repairs, possibly through fall.

A major fire at Jacksonville International Airport on May 16, 2025, has caused wide-ranging problems for travelers who rely on airport parking. The fire started in the hourly parking garage, damaging both cars and the building itself. Because of this, many parking options are now closed, and travelers have to find new ways to reach the airport. This situation is expected to go on for months, making it important for anyone planning to fly out of Jacksonville International Airport to know what has happened, what options are still available, and how the fire affects both short-term and long-term travel plans.

What Happened at Jacksonville International Airport?

On May 16, 2025, a fire broke out in the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport (also known as JAX). The fire began with a single vehicle on the third floor, but it spread quickly and caused a lot of destruction. About 50 cars were damaged, and there was a partial collapse on the second and third floors of the garage. Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Right now, officials are working to find out why the fire started and making sure the area is safe before allowing anyone back in.

The immediate effect was the closure of the hourly parking garage. The fire impacted the structure so much that large parts of the garage might even need to be torn down before they can be repaired or reopened. Because of this, about 600 parking spaces inside that garage are now closed indefinitely. However, the fallout didn’t stop there—overall, the airport lost close to 3,000 parking spots because of how parking had to be redirected and other lots filled up quickly.

Why Does This Matter for Travelers?

The closure of the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport means that far fewer parking options are available for people flying out of JAX. Right after the fire, all other main airport lots—including the Daily Garage and Daily Surface Lot—filled up very quickly. As of May 19, these parking lots were listed as either full or nearly full. Even valet parking was closed due to the high demand and the lack of space.

The only real option left at the time was to use the economy parking lots. Even these were close to being full, with reports showing they were about 83% full just days after the incident. Shuttle buses are provided to help people get from the economy lots to the terminals, but with more people needing these spots, the shuttle service may also be busier than usual.

This means that travelers who have used Jacksonville International Airport in the past will need to put in extra effort to find a safe and legal place to leave their cars before flying, or they may have to give up driving to the airport entirely for a while. For anyone visiting, dropping someone off, or picking someone up, the effects are also being felt, as the usual ease of parking at the airport is now gone.

The Severity of the Damage

Reports from officials and news sources say the fire caused not just surface damage to vehicles, but involved some parts of the building actually breaking down. Both the second and third floors of the hourly garage partially collapsed as the fire spread. Safety is now a big concern, so only trained or authorized people are allowed anywhere near the damaged part of the parking garage.

On top of the physical dangers, hundreds of travelers are unable to get to their vehicles parked inside. For many, this means being separated from their cars for days, weeks, or possibly even longer—depending on how quickly officials can secure and inspect the garage.

Some sections may become safe enough for car retrieval in the coming days or weeks. However, airport management says it will take time to fully check these areas before owners can pick up their vehicles. Car owners trapped by the fire are being told to stay patient and sign up with Jacksonville International Airport’s online form to receive updates about when their vehicles can safely be retrieved.

Who Is Affected?

All travelers who normally use Jacksonville International Airport for personal, business, or even international travel are now affected. The incident especially causes problems for:

• People with flights soon who wanted to park at the airport
• Travelers whose cars are currently trapped in the hourly parking garage
• Relatives or friends planning to pick up or drop off someone at JAX
• Anyone who regularly uses valet parking
• Rideshare drivers picking up or dropping off at the airport, as higher traffic is expected at terminals

The parking shortage does not just cause inconvenience—it may also add costs and time to any trip. With so many normal spots closed, travelers might pay more for off-site parking or wait longer for shuttles. Traffic and drop-off lines at the terminal entrances may also become busier and slower, especially during peak times.

What Are the Alternatives?

Since regular parking at Jacksonville International Airport is very limited, airport officials have some advice for people who need to travel in the next few weeks and months. The main options suggested are:

1. Use off-site parking: There are private parking facilities along Airport Road that are available to travelers. While these spots are outside the airport, they can be reached with a short drive or a shuttle.
2. Rideshare services: Companies like Uber or Lyft are encouraged for drop-off and pick-up at the terminals since they free up parking and keep traffic moving.
3. Get a ride from a friend or family: If possible, arrange for someone you know to drive you to or from the airport. This helps keep parking lots from getting even more crowded.
4. Shuttles from economy lots: If spaces are still open in the economy lots, use them along with the airport’s shuttle bus service, which takes travelers directly to the terminals.

While this isn’t always as easy as parking on airport property, these steps are now necessary until officials rebuild or fix the parking garage.

Steps for Travelers With Trapped Vehicles

If your car is stuck inside the damaged hourly parking garage, you can’t get it back right away. Safety is the airport’s top concern, so only workers trained for this kind of situation are allowed inside to assess the risk and look for safe ways to retrieve vehicles. Some people may be able to get their cars back in the coming days, while others might have to wait even longer.

To help, the Jacksonville International Airport team has a special online form where owners can register their vehicles. This form is the main way for the airport to keep car owners updated about when it’s finally safe for them to get their cars back. For details and the latest news, owners are encouraged to visit the airport’s official parking information page and fill out the form when it becomes available.

Summary Table: Jacksonville International Airport Parking Status

Here is an updated overview of parking availability at the airport:

Travelers should plan on all on-site airport parking remaining very limited through the summer, and possibly into the fall. The full extent of the repairs—or even possible demolition—needed to make the hourly garage safe again is not yet clear.

How Will This Affect International Travel From Jacksonville?

Many people think of airport parking as a “local” issue, but the effects of the Jacksonville International Airport incident may also reach travelers headed abroad. International passengers will face the same lack of space at airport parking garages, which could affect tight flight connections or make longer trips harder to organize. People flying internationally often travel with more luggage, which can make using rideshare or off-site parking less convenient.

Employers who book overseas work trips out of Jacksonville International Airport now need to remind employees that parking could be a challenge for the rest of this year. University students and teachers with study or research programs abroad should also plan for longer commute times to reach the airport—especially at busy travel seasons.

If you are a business that needs to pick up international clients or guests, plan for longer-than-usual pickup windows. More traffic at terminal curbside may slow down regular arrivals and departures.

Looking Ahead: The Long-Term Impact

Jacksonville International Airport’s parking problems are unlikely to be solved quickly. Repairs to a damaged concrete parking garage take time, and with parts of the building possibly needing to be knocked down and rebuilt, reopening the hourly garage could take several months. According to airport officials, parking is expected to remain an issue at least through summer, and possibly even into the fall.

Because of the fire, Jacksonville International Airport is now almost 3,000 spaces short of what it usually offers. That change puts stress not just on airport users, but also on the local businesses around Airport Road who will see more people trying to park off-site.

Travel agents, event planners, and businesses relying on airport access will need to warn their clients, customers, or employees about possible delays caused by harder-to-find parking.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the airport’s advice is clear: “Travelers with flights over the next few days, weeks and months are encouraged to seek alternative accommodation instead of on-airport parking.” This guidance may continue for a long time, with no quick fix in sight.

Official Advice and Additional Resources

The airport is asking all travelers not to rely on airport parking until further notice. Their main recommendation is for people to use other transport options whenever possible, such as rideshare, off-site parking, or drop-off by family or friends.

Travelers can stay informed by checking updates on the Jacksonville International Airport’s official parking updates page. This link has the latest news on lot closings, shuttle service, and car retrieval schedules.

If your car is trapped in the hourly garage, you can sign up for updates through the online form from the airport. Make sure to have your car’s details ready, including make, model, and license plate number.

Practical Tips for Upcoming Travel

• Allow extra time: With usual parking garages closed, plan to arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would.
• Double-check your parking option: Don’t leave parking to the last minute—off-site lots can fill up quickly, too.
• Book ahead if possible: If private parking facilities accept advance reservations, use the option.
• Look at rideshare: If public transit isn’t an option, try Uber or Lyft rather than driving your own car.
• Prepare for crowds: Shuttle buses from the economy lots may be busier, especially during popular travel times.
• Keep up with updates: Use the airport’s website for the latest changes, especially if the situation with reopening sections of the garage changes.

Conclusion

The fire at Jacksonville International Airport’s hourly parking garage has created long-lasting problems for airport parking. With thousands of spots now off-limits and repair work likely to take months, everyone flying in and out of JAX will feel the pinch this year. Using off-site parking, rideshare services, or arranging drop-offs is now the airport’s best advice for travelers. While repairs continue, patience and good planning will be key for a smoother travel experience. For the latest updates and guidance, always refer to JAX’s official parking updates page.

Learn Today

Hourly Parking Garage → A parking structure where travelers pay by the hour, usually located near the airport terminal for short-term stays.
Valet Parking → A service where attendants park and retrieve cars for travelers at the airport, typically for extra convenience and cost.
Economy Lots → Cheaper, larger parking areas located farther from the terminal that require a shuttle ride to reach the airport entrances.
Off-site Parking → Private parking facilities not operated by the airport but located nearby; often include shuttle transfers to the terminal.
Terminal → The main building at an airport where passengers check in, go through security, and board flights.

This Article in a Nutshell

A devastating fire gutted Jacksonville International Airport’s hourly garage, destroying 50 vehicles and limiting 3,000 parking spots. Travelers now face months of reduced parking, crowded lots, and shuttle reliance. Those with trapped cars must await safety checks. Off-site parking or rideshare is now essential for anyone flying from JAX.
— By VisaVerge.com

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