The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority has approved the final design for Airside D at the Tampa International Airport (TPA), making way for the airport’s first new airside terminal in nearly two decades.
The Aviation Authority’s Board of Directors advanced a $1.53 billion state-of-the-art, 16-gate terminal that will serve international and domestic flights to the 100% design stage this week. Board members also approved a $902 million supplemental contract tied to the project.
The airport broke ground on the project in December 2024 and construction is expected to go vertical later this year. The terminal should be completed by late 2028 and open to passengers in 2029. Once finished, Airside D will become Tampa International Airport’s primary international gateway and the largest airside at the airport, spanning roughly 600,000 square feet.
“Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay,” TPA CEO Michael Stephens said in a statement.
“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.”
Airport officials say the new terminal is designed to help accommodate long-term regional growth, as TPA currently serves about 25 million passengers annually and is projected to handle up to 35 million travelers per year by 2037.
Renderings depicting a $1.5 billion international terminal under construction. Image via the Tampa International Airport.
The project includes a modern Transportation Security Administration screening checkpoint, a ground-level international arrivals inspection facility, glass boarding bridges with scenic views of the airfield, and a mezzanine level featuring a new Delta Sky Club alongside a common-use lounge. Retail and dining spaces will be centrally located within the airside and in gate hold rooms, offering 360-degree views of the airfield.
The design also includes a tribute to former Airport CEO Joe Lopano, who retired last year, with a mounted quote welcoming travelers inside the new terminal. It will read: “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 being delivered by a design-build team led by Hensel Phelps, with HNTB Corporation and Gensler providing architectural and engineering services.
TPA also released a final round of interior and exterior renderings this week and a brand-new animation for Airside D that illustrates an open and airy interior with soaring ceilings and lots of natural light. The design incorporates a range of passenger-focused amenities, including a dedicated children’s play area, a quiet room for travelers experiencing sensory overload, and lots of power outlets, plants and greenery.
“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.”