Travelers flying through Tampa can expect a more spacious experience in the coming years as Tampa International Airport (TPA) embarks on a significant expansion project. With a groundbreaking ceremony earlier today, officials marked the commencement of the construction for Airside D, a venture that's not only TPA's largest airside expansion in two decades but also a signal of burgeoning travel demands. The new addition is designed to bolster airport capacity by 40 percent, preparing TPA to handle up to 35 million passengers annually by 2037, according to a press conference in August cited by FOX 13 News.
Airside D, characterized by its two-story, 600,000+ square foot orthogonal shape, will replace the previous structure that was demolished in 2007 and aims to streamline operations with modern features. The area, recently used as a hardstand for aircraft parking, is located northwest of the main terminal. Jeff Siddle, TPA VP of Planning & Development, highlighted a pressing issue at the August press conference, noting, "We could use these gates now if we had them actually available to us," as reported by FOX 13 News. An international Passenger Arrival Processing Area and a shuttle system complement two airline lounges, shops, and dining locations strategically placed to afford panoramic views of the airfield and bay.
The project, with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, is not just a response to the current surge in travel but also anticipates the upward trajectory of passenger numbers. Smitha Radhakrishnan, Executive Vice President of Planning & Development and Maintenance at Tampa International Airport, told WFLA News, "The past decade we have grown we almost doubled our international flights. And domestic flights. So this is going to make sure that we keep up at that clip of growth." Airside D, slated to open in 2028, is the last phase of Tampa International's Master Plan, which already has seen the redevelopment of the main terminal, new rental car facilities, and the SkyConnect Automated People Mover take shape.
Noteworthy in the expansion is the plan for glass boarding bridges, a mezzanine, and an additional layer of convenience with shopping and dining options. Despite the magnitude of construction, airport operations are expected to run uninterrupted, as the work is happening outside public areas. Airside D will emerge as TPA's fifth terminal and the first new terminal structure in about 20 years, as confirmed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which approved the design build contract in 2023 and recently sanctioned $91 million for initial on-site work, according to Business Observer.
