The airport is refining requirements for the Airside D facility, which will provide a first-class passenger experience when it opens to the public in 2028.
As design work continues on the future Airside D, Tampa International Airport now has an updated concept for the facility for domestic and international flights.
Airside D will help TPA, which currently handles an estimated 25 million passengers per year, accommodate the region’s growth and handle up to 35 million passengers per year by 2037.
The preliminary rendering of the new concept was developed this summer by the design-build team led by construction firm Hensel Phelps and presented to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors at its August meeting. It represents a significant optimization of the form and spatial layout of the original building concept introduced when the Board awarded the contract to Hensel Phelps in 2023.
“The design phase is an iterative process driven by thorough research and analysis, as well as a careful assessment of facility and operational requirements in close collaboration with the airline, state and other partners,” said Smitha Radhakrishnan, TPA’s executive vice president of planning & development and maintenance. “We want this facility to deliver the world-class travel experience TPA guests expect, while keeping fiscal responsibility at the forefront every step of the way.”
The new Airside D concept includes:
- Orthogonal shape for more space and operational efficiency
- Two levels plus mezzanine for two airline lounges with views of the airfield and the bay
- Check-in area for international passengers on the first floor
- Shuttle system and guideway
- Shopping and dining options in the center of the airside area with 360-degree views of the gates
- Large open space with intuitive wayfinding and natural light
The team has focused on maintaining the comfort and excellent customer service the airport is known for and ensuring that TPA’s first new airport area in nearly 20 years reflects the look and feel of the Tampa Bay region.
The preliminary cost estimate for the 600,000-square-foot building is approximately $1.5 billion at this planning stage, which has been impacted by an increase in the scope, size and complexity of the building and ramp area, global inflation, supply chain challenges and rising labor costs. The project will be funded through a combination of financing sources, including airport reserves, bonds and grants.
TPA has also launched a new website for the public to learn more about the new Airside D and register for business opportunities: www.AscendTPA.com. Final designs for Airside D will be completed in 2025. Groundbreaking and initial construction phases (site preparation work) will begin later this year, with Airside D opening to the public in 2028.
