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Tampa’s airport is entering its next major chapter.
Tampa’s airport is entering its next major chapter.
Feb 12, 2026
Tampa International Airport's governing board greenlights final design for the $1.528 billion Airside D, a 16-gate terminal set to open in 2029.
Tampa International Airport's governing board greenlights final design for the $1.528 billion Airside D, a 16-gate terminal set to open in 2029.
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors has approved the final design for Airside D, clearing the way for the airport's first new Airside terminal in nearly two decades. The 16-gate international and domestic facility carries an estimated price tag of $1.528 billion and is scheduled to open to the public in 2029. During the same meeting, the Board also approved a $902 million supplemental contract to advance the project into its next construction phase.
"Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay," said Airport CEO Michael Stephens. "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."
At 600,000 square feet, Airside D will become the largest Airside at Tampa International Airport — and it's being built to meet a surging demand. The facility is designed to support the Tampa Bay region's rapid population and economic growth, expanding the airport's capacity from approximately 25 million annual passengers today to an estimated 35 million by 2037. Airport leadership says the terminal will serve as Tampa Bay's primary international gateway, a critical designation as the region continues to attract new airlines, routes, and international service.
The site itself holds historic significance. The original Airside D was part of Tampa International when the airport opened in 1971. That aging facility was closed and demolished in 2007, and the space has since been used as overnight aircraft parking. Nearly two decades later, a state-of-the-art replacement is rising in its place.
Recently released interior and exterior renderings reveal an open, light-filled building with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and extensive greenery intended to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere for travelers. The design philosophy, branded under the name "Ascend," draws inspiration from the unique natural beauty of the Tampa Bay region.
What makes Airside D's design particularly notable is the degree to which it was shaped by community input. During a series of listening sessions held last summer across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, residents and travelers shared their priorities for the new terminal. That feedback directly influenced several key amenities now incorporated into the final plans, including more power outlets throughout the terminal, a dedicated children's play area, a quiet room designed for passengers experiencing sensory overload, and expanded plant installations and greenery woven throughout the facility.
"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," said TPA Chief Development Officer Smitha Radhakrishnan.
Airside D is being designed to set a new standard for passenger experience. The terminal will include new automated people mover shuttles consistent with those being installed at Airsides A, C, and E, providing seamless connectivity to the Main Terminal. A modern TSA security screening checkpoint will incorporate the latest technology, and a ground-level international arrivals inspection facility will streamline the process for travelers arriving from abroad.
The mezzanine level will feature a new Delta Sky Club alongside a common-use lounge, giving passengers premium options regardless of their airline. Delta Air Lines was named the anchor tenant for Airside D in February 2025, securing six of the 16 gates and one of the two lounge spaces under a contract lasting up to 20 years. Delta, which has served the Tampa Bay region for more than 65 years, currently operates out of Airside E and offers the largest network at the airport.
Glass boarding bridges will provide scenic views of the airfield as passengers board and exit aircraft, while shopping and dining spaces will be centrally located with 360-degree views of the gates. The design also includes a tribute to former Airport CEO Joe Lopano, who retired in April 2025 after leading TPA through a transformative era of growth. A quote from Lopano will be mounted prominently inside the terminal, greeting visitors with his words about setting sights on a grand future.
The design-build team is led by Hensel Phelps, with HNTB Corporation providing architecture and engineering services in association with Gensler. Construction officially broke ground in December 2024, marked by a ceremony on the airfield where the terminal will stand. Since then, crews have been actively preparing the site — removing and recycling concrete, installing secure fencing, setting up contractor offices, and building foundations in preparation for vertical construction, which is expected to begin this summer. Structural steel framing will follow, with completion of the building targeted for late 2028.
The project represents the third and final phase of TPA's 2012 Master Plan, a multi-billion-dollar roadmap that has already delivered major improvements including the SkyConnect Automated People Mover, the SkyCenter One office complex, expanded curbside facilities, and a new Central Utility Plant.
Airside D isn't the only major project moving forward. In related action during the same Board meeting, the Aviation Authority selected Austin Industries, Inc. as the design-builder for a significant expansion and modernization of the Main Terminal's Ticketing Level. That project will add 28 new ticket counter locations, centralize 30,000 square feet of airline office space into a consolidated area, and renovate the full 135,000-square-foot floor to improve passenger circulation, queueing, and technology integration. Completion of the Ticketing Level project is also scheduled for 2029.
The Aviation Authority also announced a Call for Artists to commission eight new public art installations across airport facilities, allocating nearly $6 million to expand TPA's renowned public art collection. Six of the installations will be located within Airside D, with one each in the newly expanded security screening checkpoints at Airsides A and E, which opened in 2025. Artists can submit applications through March 19.
On the concessions front, Airside D will feature more than 10 food and retail units as part of a broader, multi-phase Concessions Redevelopment Program set to launch next year. The program is expected to bring new dining and shopping experiences across the airport campus.
With vertical construction set to begin and a 2029 public opening on the horizon, Airside D represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Tampa Bay's history. The project signals that Tampa International Airport — consistently ranked among the top airports in the country — is not resting on its reputation. It's building for the next generation of growth, positioning itself as a world-class international gateway for a region that shows no signs of slowing down.
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors has approved the final design for Airside D, clearing the way for the airport's first new Airside terminal in nearly two decades. The 16-gate international and domestic facility carries an estimated price tag of $1.528 billion and is scheduled to open to the public in 2029. During the same meeting, the Board also approved a $902 million supplemental contract to advance the project into its next construction phase.
"Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay," said Airport CEO Michael Stephens. "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."
At 600,000 square feet, Airside D will become the largest Airside at Tampa International Airport — and it's being built to meet a surging demand. The facility is designed to support the Tampa Bay region's rapid population and economic growth, expanding the airport's capacity from approximately 25 million annual passengers today to an estimated 35 million by 2037. Airport leadership says the terminal will serve as Tampa Bay's primary international gateway, a critical designation as the region continues to attract new airlines, routes, and international service.
The site itself holds historic significance. The original Airside D was part of Tampa International when the airport opened in 1971. That aging facility was closed and demolished in 2007, and the space has since been used as overnight aircraft parking. Nearly two decades later, a state-of-the-art replacement is rising in its place.
Recently released interior and exterior renderings reveal an open, light-filled building with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and extensive greenery intended to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere for travelers. The design philosophy, branded under the name "Ascend," draws inspiration from the unique natural beauty of the Tampa Bay region.
What makes Airside D's design particularly notable is the degree to which it was shaped by community input. During a series of listening sessions held last summer across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, residents and travelers shared their priorities for the new terminal. That feedback directly influenced several key amenities now incorporated into the final plans, including more power outlets throughout the terminal, a dedicated children's play area, a quiet room designed for passengers experiencing sensory overload, and expanded plant installations and greenery woven throughout the facility.
"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," said TPA Chief Development Officer Smitha Radhakrishnan.
Airside D is being designed to set a new standard for passenger experience. The terminal will include new automated people mover shuttles consistent with those being installed at Airsides A, C, and E, providing seamless connectivity to the Main Terminal. A modern TSA security screening checkpoint will incorporate the latest technology, and a ground-level international arrivals inspection facility will streamline the process for travelers arriving from abroad.
The mezzanine level will feature a new Delta Sky Club alongside a common-use lounge, giving passengers premium options regardless of their airline. Delta Air Lines was named the anchor tenant for Airside D in February 2025, securing six of the 16 gates and one of the two lounge spaces under a contract lasting up to 20 years. Delta, which has served the Tampa Bay region for more than 65 years, currently operates out of Airside E and offers the largest network at the airport.
Glass boarding bridges will provide scenic views of the airfield as passengers board and exit aircraft, while shopping and dining spaces will be centrally located with 360-degree views of the gates. The design also includes a tribute to former Airport CEO Joe Lopano, who retired in April 2025 after leading TPA through a transformative era of growth. A quote from Lopano will be mounted prominently inside the terminal, greeting visitors with his words about setting sights on a grand future.
The design-build team is led by Hensel Phelps, with HNTB Corporation providing architecture and engineering services in association with Gensler. Construction officially broke ground in December 2024, marked by a ceremony on the airfield where the terminal will stand. Since then, crews have been actively preparing the site — removing and recycling concrete, installing secure fencing, setting up contractor offices, and building foundations in preparation for vertical construction, which is expected to begin this summer. Structural steel framing will follow, with completion of the building targeted for late 2028.
The project represents the third and final phase of TPA's 2012 Master Plan, a multi-billion-dollar roadmap that has already delivered major improvements including the SkyConnect Automated People Mover, the SkyCenter One office complex, expanded curbside facilities, and a new Central Utility Plant.
Airside D isn't the only major project moving forward. In related action during the same Board meeting, the Aviation Authority selected Austin Industries, Inc. as the design-builder for a significant expansion and modernization of the Main Terminal's Ticketing Level. That project will add 28 new ticket counter locations, centralize 30,000 square feet of airline office space into a consolidated area, and renovate the full 135,000-square-foot floor to improve passenger circulation, queueing, and technology integration. Completion of the Ticketing Level project is also scheduled for 2029.
The Aviation Authority also announced a Call for Artists to commission eight new public art installations across airport facilities, allocating nearly $6 million to expand TPA's renowned public art collection. Six of the installations will be located within Airside D, with one each in the newly expanded security screening checkpoints at Airsides A and E, which opened in 2025. Artists can submit applications through March 19.
On the concessions front, Airside D will feature more than 10 food and retail units as part of a broader, multi-phase Concessions Redevelopment Program set to launch next year. The program is expected to bring new dining and shopping experiences across the airport campus.
With vertical construction set to begin and a 2029 public opening on the horizon, Airside D represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Tampa Bay's history. The project signals that Tampa International Airport — consistently ranked among the top airports in the country — is not resting on its reputation. It's building for the next generation of growth, positioning itself as a world-class international gateway for a region that shows no signs of slowing down.
