Press Releases

New License Plate Recognition Technology to Streamline Parking at South Bend International Airport

March 09, 2026

Press Release

South Bend, IN. – A new parking experience is coming to South Bend International Airport (SBN). Interstate Parking and their contractors will convert parking lot entrances to ticketless entry and exit beginning Wednesday, March 4. License plate recognition technology will make the parking experience fast and easy. The conversion is expected to be complete by Friday, March 6, weather permitting.

Installation will take place starting with the first long-term lot entry on the east side of the lot and proceed consecutively around the front drive until all entrances are complete. During the conversion, customers will pay by the method they entered the lot. If a ticket was pulled to enter a lot, customers will pay upon exit using the ticket. If the gate vended without a ticket, the license plate was read, and customers will follow the instructions on the signs posted throughout the parking lot and inside the airport.

How it works:

Drive into the parking lot and park.
Scan the posted QR Code to begin. These are posted throughout the parking lot and inside the airport. There is no app to download.
Register the vehicle by entering the license plate, mobile phone number, and payment information. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are all accepted.
Payment will be calculated upon exit. Simply drive out.

Vehicles are to be registered prior to exiting the parking lot. For passengers who do not know the license plate number, are running short on time to make a flight, or prefer to wait until returning, the vehicle can be registered at any time prior to exiting the lot.

Interstate Parking will have ambassadors on hand to assist customers throughout the transition and thereafter.

The license plate recognition technology also allows frequent travelers the opportunity to register multiple vehicles and multiple payment options for an even faster vehicle registration experience. Digital receipts are immediately sent via text or email. Registering before leaving means no stopping or delays when exiting.

“A modern and streamlined parking experience is something we are excited to offer travelers,” said Mike Daigle, CEO and executive director of South Bend International Airport. “The follows the modernization efforts of continuous improvement that travelers have been seeing at SBN. Parking will be as simple as pulling in, registering, and driving out. No more broken gates or lines to leave the lots.”

“We are thrilled South Bend International Airport shares the vision of creating an unparalleled arrival and departure experience for travelers,” said Tony Janowiec, president and CEO of Interstate Parking. “By integrating modern technology that reduces wait times and minimizes equipment failures with our best-in-class customer service, we aim to enhance the customer journey for every passenger from the moment they arrive at the airport.”

Additional information can be found at https://flysbn.com/parking-transportation/parking/.

About South Bend International Airport
South Bend International Airport’s five air carriers provide nonstop flights to sixteen destinations: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Orlando, Punta Gorda, Phoenix/Mesa, Sanford, Sarasota/Bradenton, Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C. with connections world-wide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over 1.5 million air and rail passengers each year.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Instagram (@SBNairport), LinkedIn (@South Bend International Airport) or X (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the South Bend region.