Parking issues at LMM airport spark legislative investigation

By The Star Staff

The House of Representatives is preparing to investigate the constant complaints from citizens about the lack of parking at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, and in some cases, delays of more than an hour in ground transportation to the parking facility located at the Mall of San Juan.

Today, Monday, the House will approve Resolution 347, authored by former House Speaker José Aponte, which orders the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to conduct a thorough investigation into the operations, conditions, infrastructure, safety, protocols, and rates of the parking facilities at the airport.

“In recent weeks, significant concerns have continued to arise regarding various operational aspects, particularly with respect to the infrastructure and functioning of the airport’s parking facilities. In recent months, numerous complaints have been received from airport users who, after traveling from different parts of the island, arrive at the parking area only to find that no spaces are available—without prior notice or viable alternatives. Likewise, they report that shuttle buses to the Mall of San Juan are delayed, in some cases for over an hour,” said Aponte, who also chairs the Committee on Federal and Veterans Affairs.

“This situation has negatively impacted the experience of many users and the efficiency of airport operations. Reports highlight not only the lack of available spaces but also deficiencies in signage, the absence of updated real-time systems for space availability, inadequate maintenance, poor lighting, and a limited presence of orientation staff,” Aponte added.

“Likewise, there has been discussion about the possible prioritization of parking spaces for airport employees to the detriment of the general public, which worsens the shortage of parking for passengers. If confirmed, this practice—while understandable from an operational standpoint—should be reviewed and reorganized through more efficient policies that guarantee a balance between employee needs and adequate public access,” the legislator stressed.

On July 14, Aerostar Holdings announced the creation of the SJU Park & Ride program, under which travelers may park on levels 2 through 5 of the Mall of San Juan for a flat rate of $60.00 for the first day and $9.50 for each additional day. This service is provided through shuttle buses running between the airport terminals and the mall every 30 minutes.