DEMAND & SUPPLY: In 1990, 687,000 cars...

DEMAND & SUPPLY: In 1990, 687,000 cars parked at John Wayne Airport. Three years later, the number increased to 1.85 million, many forced across the freeway to overflow lots. . . . The crush is likely to get worse before it gets better. Two years of construction for new airport parking is due to start in fall of 1995 and will shut down many existing spaces. . . . Once done, the airport will have built nearly all the 8,400 spaces allowed by court-imposed restrictions. “People don’t realize we have a limit on our facilities as well as our flights,” one official said.

JWX? John Wayne is an international airport of sorts, and signs may soon be going up reflecting that. . . . Travelers now can book overseas flights on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways that “originate” in Orange County. But though they check their bags with KLM tags or show a British Airways ticket, they board a USAir or Northwest Airlines plane to connect to the overseas flight elsewhere. . . . The carriers want KLM and British Airways signs installed inside and outside the terminal. Authorities are considering the request.

EDDIE WHO? When the airport’s old, empty Eddie Martin Terminal finally is demolished in October, will anything remain to commemorate the airport’s founder? . . . The airport is named after an actor and the new terminal after a county supervisor. What’s left for Martin (above, circa 1924) is a display of his memorabilia planned for the lobby of a private-plane terminal to be built by Martin Aviation, the firm Martin founded. . . . Why not name the private terminal after Eddie? “It might create confusion with the old building in people’s minds,” a spokesman says.

SUCKER BET: What’s the largest airplane ever to take off and land at John Wayne Airport? If you weren’t on the apron Aug. 14, you probably won’t know. . . . The answer: one of Federal Express’ huge, double-deck Airbus A310 cargo planes. Half the length of a football field, 79 tons unloaded, the plane landed and took off three times to test noise for the county’s study of potential cargo service. . . . So far the county has not released results, but a local pilot who witnessed the takeoffs said the plane was “incredibly quiet.”