Philadelphia International Airport is working toward privatizing airport parking so it can expand its freight handling and install a new high-tech parking system, writes Tom MacDonald for WHYY.

 The airport wants to close an economy parking lot to expand the freight handling but an agreement with the state-governed Philadelphia Parking Authority didn’t allow it.

The airport gained control over the parking facilities when the city’s Department of Aviation paid off more than $54 million in PPA bonds last week.

The state-governed agency had been in charge of airport parking since the 1970s.

Paying off the loan was the first step in a competitive bidding process to run the garages and a larger modernization project, said James Tyrell, the airport’s chief revenue officer.

The agreement with the PPA “did not allow us to function the way we needed to function,” said Tyrell. It held back modernizations at the international airport and “flew in the face of FAA and DOT standards and requirements.”

Privatizing the parking will eliminate 100 jobs held by the Parking Authority but could also create new employment opportunities.

Tyrell said a new contract could create more profits and make sure the workforce is diverse.

Read more at WHYY about privatizing the Philadelphia Airport’s parking operation.