The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors has approved a final design of Tampa International Airport (TPA)’s first new terminal in nearly two decades. The approximately $1.528-billion, 600,000-square-foot Airside D will be designed by HNTB Corporation and Gensler and built by Hensel Phelps. The facility will feature 16 gates; a new TSA screening checkpoint; Delta Sky Club and common-use lounges; glass boarding bridges with airfield views; new retail and dining concepts; and amenities suggested by traveler feedback, including additional power outlets, more plants and greenery, a children’s play area, and a sensory-friendly quiet room. TPA broke ground on the terminal in 2024 with plans to complete the project by late 2028 and open to the public in 2029. Design renderings presented at the latest board of directors meeting also included a special tribute to retired TPA CEO Joe Lopano, with a mounted quote from Lopano that reads: “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.”
“Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay,” said TPA CEO Michael Stephens. “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. 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.”
“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,” added Smitha Radhakrishnan, TPA’s chief development officer. “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.”
In addition to the Airside D project, the airport will expand its Main Terminal ticketing level as well as expand its public art offerings across the facility.
