The Hillsborough County Airport Authority (HCAA) is implementing a $2.5 billion master plan at Tampa International Airport (TPA) in three phases: decongestion, enablement and growth to prepare the airport for increasing passenger volumes and future air travel demand.

The first phase of the extensive expansion project began in November 2014 and followed the execution plan outlined in the 2012 Master Plan Update.

Phase 1 was completed in 2018. Construction of Phase 2 began in 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in 2025, while construction of Phase 3 is scheduled to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2028.

The HCAA adopted and approved the TPA’s 2022 Master Plan Update in June 2024, highlighting the need for this expansion over the next two decades.

The completed expansion program will double the airport’s capacity so that it can handle 34 million passengers annually (currently 17 million).

Details on Tampa Airport’s Phase 3 Expansion

The growth phase or Phase 3 includes the construction of a new 16-gate Airside D Terminal that will accommodate both domestic and international aircraft.

This will increase the total number of gates at TPA to 72. Airside D will be the fifth airside terminal at TPA.

The terminal building will be built on an area of ​​563,000 feet.² Area with spacious concession areas, an outdoor terrace, the latest customs and security facilities, new screening, gate check-in and baggage handling technologies.

Details on Phase 2 of Tampa Airport Expansion

The enabling phase or Phase 2 of the project includes the development of 16 new express lanes, increasing the number to 32 lanes, a 35-acre commercial area called SkyCenter, a new central utility plant (CUP) to support the main terminal, a taxiway bridge and other related projects.

SkyCenter One, the first nine-story, 260,000-foot-high² The office building in the SkyCenter houses the aviation authority’s administrative offices on three floors.

It was built to relocate current personnel to the airport entrance and provide convenient access to SkyConnect, a 2.4 km automated people mover (APM) developed in Phase 1.

The SkyCenter project optimized and extended the life of the main terminal by developing remote and underused areas and improving connectivity through the SkyConnect train system.

The main terminal area will be expanded to include 150,000 feet²for both arrivals and departures to speed up check-in.

Express lanes will be introduced for passengers who do not require curb access, bypassing the ticket lobby and providing direct access to the gate, thereby reducing congestion and improving service.

The curbs will be built up with vertical traffic buildings (VCBs) on the blue and red sides.

These three-story, climate-controlled atriums provide direct access from the express curbs to the main terminal transfer level via elevators, escalators and enclosed walkways and connect adjacent facilities such as the long-term parking garage and the Marriott Hotel.

The Red Side VCB will also feature a shuttle platform for future access to Airside D.

The existing Red Side Garage with 696 parking spaces will be demolished to make room for a new building around the main terminal.

A new Taxiway A will be built north of the main terminal and the existing Park Road will be extended to serve as the main entrance to the airport.

Details of the Blue Side VCB phase of the programme

The Blue Side VCB phase of the program opened ahead of schedule in November 2021 and features modern amenities and art installations that enhance the passenger experience.

In addition, the Blue Side VCB also included the replacement of the existing CUP with a new, three-story, 11,400-foot²highly efficient CUP with a capacity of 4,800 tons, which reduces energy costs by 30%, equivalent to removing 620 cars from the roads per year.

The new CUP will provide essential services such as heating, cooling and fire protection for various airport facilities.

The completed Red Express curbs will serve the same purpose as the Blue Express curbs at the opposite end of the main terminal.

Details on SkyCenter development

The site development plan for SkyCenter includes new office buildings, hotels, retail stores, a remote roadside area and an expanded smartphone area with improved facilities.

A 50,000 foot² The atrium connects the SkyCenter One office building with a future flagship hotel and offers various workstations and seating options for travelers on the go.

The atrium also provides vertical circulation connecting a new remote curb, an enclosed 220-foot pedestrian bridge (Aerotropolis), and a roof with more than 17,000 feet² the landscaped terrace.

The remote curbside at SkyCenter provides additional passenger access to the TPA, reduces congestion at the main terminal and provides a backup option during peak periods.

Details on Phase 1 of Tampa Airport Expansion

The decongestion phase, or phase one, driven by the 2012 Master Plan update, addressed terminal congestion by moving car rental and curbside parking areas near the main terminal to the airport entrance, creating space for 2,400 parking spaces and removing 2.7 million cars annually from the terminal area.

This phase included a five-story, 2.5 million square foot Rental Car Center (RCC) with 4,400 spaces, a multi-story rapid turnaround area and a 26-meter-high APM system connecting the main terminal to the RCC, and an 11,000-space economy parking garage.

Other improvements included the expansion of the terminal’s transfer level, the addition of 70 new shops and restaurants, and the construction of Aerotropolis.

The Aerotropolis extends over four lanes and connects the atrium with the RCC.

This bridge provides SkyCenter tenants and travelers with direct access to the SkyConnect train for a quick ride to the airport’s main terminal, as well as access to the public bus terminal at RCC.

Details on the expansion of the main terminal at Tampa Airport

The expansion of Tampa International Airport expanded the transfer level on the third floor of the terminal building toward the plaza decks to the east and west by more than 4,600 square meters.

Approximately 15,000 square feet of indoor public seating and large outdoor terraces were created.

The existing shuttle housing and restaurants were pushed to the edge, creating central space for new retail stores and lounge seating.

Other developments include the relocation of the shuttle car lobbies for Piers A, C, E and F, the removal of the existing shuttle lobby at Pier D, and additional restaurants and retail space in the boarding gate and post-security areas.

The project also included the renovation of an area of ​​1,858 m² in the main terminal and all four buildings on the airport side.

The project included improvements to the ticket and baggage claim area, wayfinding, airport concession area, seating area and flight operations.

On the first floor of the main terminal, a section of the Red Side Bag Claim was renovated with new lighting and ceiling tiles.

Design features of the redesign of the main terminal and airport areas

Unveiled in December 2014, the design for the renovation and expansion of the Main Passenger Terminal aimed to create an open, spacious and airy environment with east and west facing curtain walls and metal panels for enhanced aesthetics.

The terminal features glass entrances at shuttle stations, private work areas, green planting zones, family areas, art installations and event spaces flooded with natural light.

Each airport area reflects unique aspects of the Tampa Bay Area.

The new RCC, integrated into the APM, shortens transit times and improves convenience as passengers can drop off their baggage and collect their boarding passes at the RCC’s APM station.

The People Mover also stops at the Economy car park, so you don’t have to change to a bus to the main terminal.

Sustainable design

The expansion implemented sustainable initiatives through the use of sustainable materials such as rectified porcelain tiles and a non-slip surface that is resistant to airborne sand.

Perforated aluminum ceilings allow for greater light reflection, while bonded quartz walls are easier to clean and more sustainable.

Contractors involved

The TPA’s 2022 Master Plan update is being led by Ricondo and Associates.

The first phase of the main terminal expansion was designed by Swedish architect Skanska in collaboration with architectural firm HOK, which was also responsible for architecture, interior design and sustainability and will oversee an airport-wide art program.

General contractor Cone & Graham and engineering firm AECOM provided a runway bridge, while utility contractor Kimmins Contracting and construction firm Atkins provided roadworks.

Gresham Smith, an architectural and engineering firm, supported all three phases of development and improved public facilities and amenities. Jacobs, an engineering services provider, provided project management services for Phases 1 and 2.

Construction firm Hensel Phelps supported design-build services for the expansion, and Austin Commercial, a design-build and construction firm, designed the RCC and APM project with key partners including Beck Group, Mims Construction, PSA and ARIEL Business Group. Baker Concrete built the car rental facility.