After being closed for most of 2021, Denver International Airport announced Thursday that its Pikes Peak shuttle parking lot will remain open indefinitely.

The parking lot, which provides cheaper parking farther away from the airport, closed last year due to a shortage of shuttle bus drivers to transport passengers, the airport said. It reopened on Thanksgiving but was scheduled to close again on Thursday.

Airport CEO Phil Washington said the airport worked with ABM Industries to recruit more shuttle drivers by increasing wages and benefits and making it easier for employees to get commercial driver’s licenses.

“These actions have made a tremendous difference,” Washington said. “While ABM is still hiring, we are confident that the staffing levels are such that we’ll be able to keep the Pikes Peak lot open as we move into the new year.”

While the Pikes Peak parking lot will remain open, the East Economy parking lot will remain closed through the first quarter of 2022, as to not overwhelm the shuttle drivers. The airport said it hopes to reopen East Economy in the next several months.

Parking in the 8,000-space Pikes Peak lot costs $8 per day, though passengers who park in the lot should allow an extra 30 minutes to get to the terminal, the airport said. If the lot fills, overflow will be sent to the Mount Elbert parking lot, which also has 8,000 parking spaces.

The Pikes Peak parking lot is located at 75th Avenue and North Elk Street. To reach it from inbound Peña Boulevard, exit at 75th Avenue, go east to North Elk Street and take a right.

Passengers are encouraged to check the status of the airport’s parking lots at FlyDenver.com before arriving.