DAYTON - Dayton International Airport, following the lead of some other metropolitan airports, has set aside a paved lot where people awaiting arrivals of family members or friends can park to wait for a cellphone call from travelers flying to Dayton.

The free lot on airport property at Boeing and Terminal drives will allow people doing the retrieval duties to wait in one location, rather than repeated driving past the terminal building to scan the crowds, said Terrence G. Slaybaugh, Dayton's aviation director.

By year's end, the airport plans to install a video display board at the cellphone lot so people waiting there can see the same flight-arrival information displayed on boards inside the terminal, Slaybaugh said Tuesday.

The airport also will continue its policy of allowing up to 30 minutes of free parking inside the parking garage by the terminal, so people awaiting arrivals can help with luggage, he said.

For Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 7-11, the airport will reduce its economy parking rate to $5 from the usual $6.

The $5 rate will be in effect from Friday through Monday, airport spokeswoman Linda Hughes said.

By next spring, the airport plans to install new color-coded signs designed to make it easier for customers to locate long-term, short-term, economy and garage parking alternatives, Slaybaugh said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytondailyNews .com.