LOCAL : Wayne Airport Will Alter Parking

John Wayne Airport officials announced today that the short-term parking lot directly in front of the existing passenger terminal will close permanently on Friday to make room for rental car space and a new airport entrance.

Although the closure will eliminate public parking for 800 vehicles, officials said there will be little or no adverse impact because a new, 1,476-space parking garage opened recently 1/10 of a mile north of the existing terminal.

Handicapped parking, until now available for $5 a day in the short-term lot, will be relocated to the old rental car parking area between the existing terminal and the new parking garage.

The rearrangement of parking space is part of the $310-million John Wayne Airport expansion program, which includes a new, $50-million passenger terminal scheduled to open April 1, 1990.