JAX Airport Parking Garage Fire: Is the Hourly Garage Open? (2026 Update)

As of October 2026, the JAX Hourly Garage is open, at $26/day, but the fire-damaged sections are still closed: the Florida Times-Union reported on 27 May 2026 that 349 of its 1,163 spaces were out of service on the third and fourth floors. As reported by Jacksonville Today on 3 September 2026, an airport spokesperson expected the rebuilt decks to reopen in summer 2027 and a new garage of about 2,000 spaces to open before Thanksgiving 2026.

This page sums up what happened, what is open now and where to park instead. Current rates come from the official JAX parking page; repair timelines come from local news reports cited below.

What Happened in the JAX Parking Garage Fire

On 16 May 2025, a car fire broke out on the third deck of the Hourly Garage at Jacksonville International Airport and shut the airport down for much of that afternoon.

As reported by News4JAX on 16 May 2025, multiple cars caught fire, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority confirmed structural damage to the garage, and no injuries were reported. A year later, Action News Jax reported on 14 May 2026 that the fire caused portions of the structure to collapse. Right after the fire, an airport notice said the Hourly Garage was closed indefinitely and the other facilities were closed to incoming vehicles for a time.

Is the JAX Hourly Garage Open Now?

Yes, the Hourly Garage is open, but with fewer spaces than before the fire.

The airport's live parking status lists the Hourly Garage as open as of October 2026. The Florida Times-Union reported on 27 May 2026 that 349 of the garage's 1,163 spaces, on the third and fourth floors, remained out of service, leaving about 70% usable (Times-Union via Yahoo, 27 May 2026). An older notice still on the airport's website says the garage is "closed indefinitely"; that notice dates from just after the fire and is out of date.

When Will the Damaged Decks Reopen?

The rebuilt third and fourth decks are expected in summer 2027, as reported by Jacksonville Today on 3 September 2026.

In that report, airport spokesperson Greg Willis said repair work was continuing and the reconstructed decks should open "next summer," restoring more than 300 spaces (Jacksonville Today). That is a reported expectation, not a set date, so check the airport's website before relying on it.

The New 2,000-Space JAX Parking Garage

A new six-level garage with about 2,000 spaces is under construction south of the Daily Garage, and is expected to open before Thanksgiving 2026, as reported by Jacksonville Today on 3 September 2026.

Per Jacksonville Today (3 September 2026), the garage covers 151,000 square feet on a 3-acre site of former surface parking and will bring the airport to 10,800 parking spaces. An airport spokesperson told the outlet it would open "sometime in November before the Thanksgiving holiday," with no specific date; the Florida Times-Union reported on 27 May 2026 an earlier target of around October. Its rates have not been published, and as of late October 2026 the airport's parking page does not list it.

Where to Park at JAX While Repairs Continue

With the Hourly Garage short of spaces, the Daily Garage, Daily Surface Lot and Economy Lots carry more demand, so check lot status before you leave.

JAX rates include taxes and fees. Check the airport's live parking status before you leave. The Florida Times-Union reported on 27 May 2026 that the garages and surface lot typically fill during busy travel periods, and the Economy Lots also fill during Thanksgiving week and around Christmas.

If you want a space held for you, two off-site lots on Triply take reservations: Airlynk Parking on Airport Road came to $66.62 for a sample 7-day booking (about $9.50/day), and the Wyndham Jacksonville Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Crowne Plaza) came to $78.13 (about $11/day).

Triply prices are for a sample 7-day booking (check-in 10 AM on 13 November, check-out 2 PM on 19 November 2026), include taxes and fees, and change by date.

Valet, at $30 per 24 hours, can also be reserved on the airport's valet site; see our Jacksonville airport valet parking guide. For lower-cost long stays, see the JAX long-term parking guide, or the JAX airport parking guide for every option.

How to Check JAX Garage Status Before You Go

The airport's homepage at flyjacksonville.com shows a live fullness reading for the Hourly Garage, Daily Garage, Daily Surface Lot, Economy Lots and valet.

Check it before you leave home, especially around holidays. If the garages show full, head straight for the Economy Lots or valet rather than circling the garages. For parking questions, the airport's parking office is at 904-741-2277.

Picking Someone Up Without the Garage

You don't need the Hourly Garage to meet a flight: wait in the Courtesy Waiting Lot at 14201 Pecan Park Road until your passenger is at the curb.

The lot is about a two-minute drive from the terminal. You can stop at the arrivals curb only once your passenger is standing there with their bags, and vehicles left in the waiting lot overnight are towed.