Airport Parking Transformation Project 

Executive Summary 

In early 2025, Inflow™ aimed to dramatically improve the airline parking experience, drastically reduce congestion, and significantly enhance revenue capture, all without increasing rates. The city leadership, where the airport resides, sought a modernization project that would address these pain points while keeping parking rates stable and supporting the airport’s broader expansion plan, which includes additional parking to support growth. To accomplish this ambitious goal, the airport made a pivotal decision: they turned to Inflow software. The outcome was nothing short of transformational: a fully ticketless parking system, powered by cutting-edge License Plate Recognition (LPR) and seamlessly streamlined digital workflows, delivering unparalleled efficiency and convenience.

The project represents a forward-thinking approach to airport operations: leveraging cutting-edge technology while minimizing disruption to passengers. It also positions the airport as a regional leader in adopting modern mobility solutions for mid-sized airports. 

This project addressed the issues facing airports:

• Manual ticketing systems that caused long queues and bottlenecks.
• Lost revenue due to outdated payment methods and enforcement gaps.
• Operational inefficiencies from paper-based systems and limited data collection.
• Maintenance costs on aging equipment.

Project Objectives 

The modernization project established five key objectives: 

1. Enhance Passenger Experience: Modernize the parking processes and provide intuitive, contactless workflows.
2. Increase Operational Efficiency: Reduce staffing needs through automation and repurpose existing staff with a focus on customer service, while implementing real-time data for analytics.
3. Boost Revenue Capture: Eliminate potentials for revenue leakage, ensure full revenue compliance, and enable comprehensive auditing and accountability..
4. Maintain Cost Neutrality for Users: Implement advanced technology without increasing user rates.‍
5. Prepare for Future Growth: Ensure infrastructure scalability for multi-story parking or additional surface lots.

Solution: Tap ’n Fly™ by INFLOW™ 

INFLOW™ introduced Tap 'n Fly™, a fully ticketless parking system designed specifically for airports. This contactless solution allows airport visitors to drive directly in and out without needing to stop at in-lane kiosks or pull manual tickets. Instead, passengers can register their form of payment from their own mobile phone once parked, before exiting. This streamlined process enables them to drive right out without needing to stop and pay, significantly reducing congestion and wait times.

Additionally, they offered the SwiftPass repeat visitor program, which enables frequent travelers to maintain an account on file. With SwiftPass, these visitors can bypass the need for any registration workflow on future visits, offering an even more seamless and convenient parking experience. The solution integrates several core technologies:

Beyond public parking, the Inflow system also extended its benefits to employee and staff parking lots. This integration allows for precise tracking and management of authorized vehicles, eliminating the need for physical permits and streamlining access control. Critically, this technology provides the flexibility to easily convert designated staff lots into overflow parking during peak travel periods or special events. This dynamic repurposing of assets maximizes space utilization and creates additional revenue streams for the airport, demonstrating a further enhancement of the initial revenue capture objectives. 

‍

Implementation Process 

The project was delivered in three phases to minimize disruption:

• Phase 1: Planning & Design: System design, hardware selection, signage layout, stakeholder engagement
• Phase 2: Infrastructure Upgrades: Camera installation, networking, entry/exit reconfiguration
• Phase 3: Rollout & Training: System launch, staff training, public education campaign
 

Results & Impact 

1. Passenger Experience 
   
   • Reduced Wait Times: Average exit time decreased
   • Ease of Use: No app required; QR workflow simplified registration. 
   • Positive Public Response: On-site support mitigated confusion during rollout. 
2. Operational Gains 
   
   • Labor Efficiency: Less manual intervention required for ticketing and enforcement. 
   • Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time occupancy and trend analysis enabled dynamic staffing. 
3. Revenue Assurance 
   
   • Minimized Leakage: LPR ensured all parked vehicles were tracked and billed. 
   • Transparent Transactions: Clear, digital records for audits and reporting. 
4. Community & Economic Value 
   
   • Stable Rates: Despite modernization, parking fees remained unchanged. 
   • Regional Leadership: Positioned McAllen as a tech-forward airport supporting regional tourism and commerce.

‍