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Syracuse Hancock International Airport has rolled out significant changes to parking and passenger pickup areas, affecting travelers flying in and out of Syracuse, New York — and more disruptions are on the way once construction kicks off.
According to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA), the overflow parking lot — located on the north side of the parking garage — closed on Friday (February 20) to prepare for the construction of a new Consolidated Rental Car Facility (ConRAC). The entrance to the lot is now shut down, giving remaining vehicles time to clear out before construction begins.
Construction on the new ConRAC is expected to start in mid-to-late March and last about 14 months. Once work gets underway, both the overflow lot and the Arrivals B pickup area will be fully closed for the duration of the project.
Where to Pick Up Your Passengers Now
Arrivals B — the area normally used to pick up passengers flying Delta, Frontier, and United — will shut down once construction begins. After that, as reported by Syracuse.com, all passenger pickups will move to Arrivals A on the south side of the passenger terminal.
Airport officials say Arrivals A will be actively monitored to keep traffic moving. Drivers are strongly encouraged to wait in the Cell Phone Lot and Passenger Pick-Up Waiting Area — accessible from Eileen Collins Boulevard, just past the Mohawk Global building — until their party is ready for curbside pickup.
New Parking Lot to Fill the Gap
To make up for the loss of the overflow lot, the SRAA has opened a new parking area on Air Cargo Road. The lot is farther from the passenger terminal but is served by a free, 24-hour airport shuttle service.
The new ConRAC will allow rental cars to move out of the parking garage, where they currently take up a large portion of the first floor. The SRAA is also planning a broader, multiyear modernization project that includes replacing the aging parking garage and expanding the passenger terminal.
Airport officials are also overhauling roadway and in-terminal signage across the campus to help guide travelers through the new traffic patterns.
What Airport Leaders Are Saying
Jason Terreri, executive director of the SRAA, said the changes are part of a larger push to improve the airport experience. According to CNY Central, Terreri said, "The construction of the new Consolidated Rental Car Facility is a major step forward in improving how travelers move through our campus and in strengthening the long-term infrastructure of the airport. We recognize that construction can be disruptive, and we sincerely appreciate the community's patience and understanding as we make these important improvements."
Travelers can find updated parking information, driving directions, and a campus map on the airport's website at syrairport.org. Airport officials advise travelers to verify parking availability before arriving to avoid delays.