Tampa Unveils Its Final Design for 16-Gate Expansion

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors on 5 February approved a final design for Airside D, the first new Airside at Tampa International Airport in nearly 20 years.

Board members voted to greenlight the 100 percent design stage for the project, a state-of-the-art, 16-gate international and domestic gateway to Tampa Bay that will cost an estimated $1.528 billion. The Board also approved a $902 million supplemental contract for the Airside D project during the meeting.

Construction is scheduled to go vertical this year and be completed in late 2028, with the building opening to the public in 2029.

“Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay. Thanks to the dedication and collaboration of our TPA team and partners, we’re setting a new standard for innovation, service, and hospitality in our region,” Airport CEO Michael Stephens said. “Once complete, Airside D will serve as Tampa Bay’s international gateway, welcoming the world with the world-class experience our guests expect from TPA.”

Airside D will help TPA, which currently serves about 25 million passengers per year, accommodate the region’s growth and serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.

TPA released a final round of interior and exterior renderings and a brand-new animation for Airside D that illustrate an open and airy interior with soaring ceilings and lots of natural light, highlighting the beauty of the Tampa Bay region. The building will be 600,000 square feet, making it the largest Airside at TPA.

The renderings show several newly added design features of Airside D, including a special tribute to former Airport CEO Joe Lopano, who retired last April. A quote from Lopano mounted to the wall will greet visitors with a message reading, “We set our sights on a grand future because we have the ability to think big and achieve greatness. We owe it to our predecessors on whose shoulders we stand.”

The final design incorporates feedback from travelers that was gathered during a series of listening sessions TPA hosted last summer in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Those events drew community members and airport officials together to determine what guests wanted to see during their Airside D experience. Among the features added as a result of these discussions:

• More power outlets to ensure better availability
• More plants and greenery to create a relaxing environment
• A dedicated play area to entertain children
• A quiet room to help travelers deal with potential sensory overload

“From the beginning, the guiding principle behind Airside D has been a singular focus on delivering the very best amenities and travel experience to the millions of passengers who visit TPA each year,” TPA Chief Development Officer Smitha Radhakrishnan said. “Thoughtful and functional design, leading-edge technology, unmatched convenience and a sense of calm all come together in a facility shaped not just by expertise, but by the collective vision of our entire community.”

The final design includes previously released features, including:

• Cutting-edge shuttles that match the new models being installed at Airsides A, C and E
• A modern TSA security screening checkpoint
• A ground-level inspection facility for travelers arriving on international flights
• A mezzanine level with both a brand-new Delta Sky Club and a common-use lounge
• Innovative and dynamic media features that display moving images and animation
• Glass boarding bridges to allow scenic views of the airfield as passengers board and exit aircraft
• Shopping and dining locations at the center of the Airside and in hold rooms, with 360-degree views of the gates

The images are courtesy of the design-build team for the project, led by construction company Hensel Phelps, with Architecture and Engineering company HNTB Corporation, in association with Gensler.

 TPA broke ground on Airside D in December 2024 and has been prepping the site for major construction by removing concrete, installing secure fencing and establishing contractor offices, among other enabling work. The concrete that was removed was recycled to help prepare the site for construction. Workers have been building the foundations of the Airside to prepare for structural steel framing to begin this summer.