Cherry Capital Airport Opens 369-Space Economy Lot with Free Shuttle

Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City opened its new Economy Lot on Feb. 25, adding 369 lower-cost spaces just north of Costco and before the main terminal on the one-way Fly Don’t Drive access road. The lot is priced at $11 per day, is pre-pay only, and airport staff say an attendant will be on site from 4:00 a.m. through the last departure daily to help passengers.

Airport officials timed the opening to relieve spring break pressure after last year’s surge when short-term and long-term lots reached capacity and workers had to park overflow vehicles in fire department and maintenance areas. The expansion responds to rapid growth at TVC: the airport handled more than 400,000 travelers last year, an 18% increase, up from roughly 90,000 travelers two decades ago, and officials estimate 52% of passengers live within 25 miles of Traverse City.

Operations at the Economy Lot center on a complimentary shuttle that runs continuously during arrivals and departures and operates through the day’s final arrival. Airport briefings and operational notes say the shuttle loop to the terminal takes approximately five minutes and that returning travelers are met at the baggage claim area for quick returns to vehicles. Shelters to protect passengers from the weather are still under construction at the lot, and airport staff emphasize the on-site attendant will assist with any pre-pay or shuttle questions.

Drivers can reach the Economy Lot by turning right after entering the airport grounds on South Airport Road instead of turning left toward the main terminal; the lot sits behind the Costco building near the airport’s main entrance. Record-Eagle photos show snow on vehicles in the lot and a United Airlines flight and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter visible landing nearby, underscoring the lot’s proximity to active airfield operations.

The project is part of a broader push to scale airport infrastructure. The new lot adds to an existing inventory of about 1,500 parking spots at Cherry Capital Airport; airport leaders describe the Economy Lot as a more affordable choice compared with other TVC parking options and larger hubs. Airport CEO Kevin Klein said, “We are happy to offer this new parking lot to the Northern Michigan traveling public. This is another affordable and convenient option for travelers. TVC is proud to provide more economical parking across all of its lots compared to the costs at larger airports.” Director of air service development and marketing Autumn McClaren added, “We need the parking. We need the spaces. So last spring we ran out of spots, so this opening ahead of the busy spring break travel season is so perfect,” and noted limited ride-share options in northern Michigan as a reason the lot will ease pressure on ground transportation.

The expansion carried a reported price tag of $2.9 million, part of the airport’s strategy to align parking capacity with sustained passenger growth. With the Economy Lot now open and shuttle service in place, airport leaders expect to reduce overflow parking during peak travel periods and offer a lower-cost option for the region’s largely local travel base.