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Vero Beach Airport prepares for JetBlue and American service; council hears parking, terminal and lease plans
Summary
Airport staff briefed council on terminal rehabilitation, new airlines (JetBlue in December; American in February), parking-lot redesign and talks with a private operator to manage long-term parking. Staff described short-term employee parking and plans for a permanent Parking Lot C to be built after the busy season.
City airport officials told the council the terminal rehabilitation and parking improvements are moving forward while two new carriers prepare to begin service.
Taj, the airport director (name given in the meeting as "Taj"), said JetBlue will begin service Dec. 11 and American Airlines is scheduled to start Feb. 12, giving the airport three commercial carriers once all launches occur. "These are not airlines that we have recruited or solicited or offered any kind of financial incentives to be here," Taj said, adding carriers approached the airport because of the area’s demand.
Airport operations manager Brandon Danback and others described current work on the terminal rehabilitation (baggage make-up area, covered walkways, covered baggage claim), and a multi-phase construction schedule with key elements expected to be underway by mid-late November and into December for JetBlue’s arrivals.
Staff outlined plans for Parking Lot C (the field currently used for overflow parking near the control tower). Designers revised the plan after city comments; construction was delayed to avoid disrupting the upcoming busy season, with potential work in May–June 2026. The project will increase off-street capacity and add stormwater treatment; staff said higher capacity and cost would likely result and that they would seek additional FDOT funds.
To free short-term spaces, staff will convert a 54-space area to an employee-only lot (53 spots plus one ADA) and implement hang tags and enforcement to maintain three-hour turnover in short-term parking. Staff also reported ongoing negotiations with a private parking developer to lease and operate long-term parking and develop currently vacant land; the city would receive land rent and concession fee under the concept.
Councilmembers pressed on contingency plans if airlines leave and asked about contracts or short-term agreements with carriers; airport staff said most airline arrangements are short duration and any terminal or large-scale improvements are being designed to be repurposed if airline service is not sustained.
No council vote was required; staff sought to inform the council and the public of the schedule, design changes and negotiations with potential private operators.
