ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - It now costs you significantly more to park at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The new price structuring went into effect Thursday morning.

For the first time in nearly a decade, parking rates at the world’s busiest airport are going up - and for many travelers, the price hike is a shock.

“It’s a rip-off!” said Andrea Jeffries, who parked near the South Terminal to drop off a friend. “It’s ridiculous because I just got here 10 minutes ago and my ticket was $10, just for a few minutes.”

The most dramatic increase is in the hourly lots, where rates are jumping from $3 to $10 per hour. Over at the International Terminal, daily maximums have soared to $100. Daily parking across the airport’s parking decks has increased from $19 to $30. The economy, uncovered lots are at $20.

“Notice it already. Trust me,” said Marvin Brown, a frequent traveler at Hartsfield-Jackson.

Airport officials say the new pricing is necessary due to rising operational costs and the construction of a new parking deck, which will add about 7,000 spaces to the current 30,000. That new deck is expected to open next year.

“Since August of 2017 to now, the consumer price index was over 34%. It’s really catching the rates up with where it should be based on economic conditions,” assistant airport manager Tyronia Smith said in a previous interview when officials announced the price hikes last month.

While most travelers understand the reasons behind the hike, many are considering other options.

“MARTA, yes. It’ll probably be worth taking MARTA,” Jeffries said.

For comparison, Chicago O’Hare charges $3 per hour - less than Atlanta’s new rate - but its daily parking costs $43, compared to Atlanta’s new $30 parking deck daily rate.

Here are the rate increases:

South/North Hourly Decks: $10 an hour with a $50 maximum on Day 1, increasing to a $75 daily rate thereafter. This is up from $3 an hour and a $36 max.

International Hourly Deck: $10 for the first hour, $15 per hour thereafter, up to a $70 maximum on Day 1, increasing to a $100 daily rate thereafter. This is up from $3 an hour and a $36 max.

South/North Daily Decks: $30 a day. This is up from $19.

South/North Economy Lots: $20 a day. This is up from $14.

ATL West Deck: $10 per hour with a $30 per day maximum. This is up from $3 an hour and $16 a day maximum.

ATL Select Lots: Uncovered rate of $15 a day; Covered rate of $20 a day; Oversized rate of $40 a day. This is up from $10, $14 and $28.

Domestic Park-Ride Lot: $15 a day. This is up from $10 a day.

International Park-Ride Lot: $30 a day. This is up from $14 a day.

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