A rendering of what RSW will look like once the expansion project is completed. -COURTESY PHOTO

Eleven million people fly into and out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) every year. And with “season” in full swing and spring break on the way, you may be heading to the airport yourself. If so, you’ll notice some big changes, as RSW is in the midst of a major upgrade.

“We’re essentially almost doubling our square footage,” said Steven Hennigan, the executive director and CEO of Lee County Port Authority. “A great takeaway is that almost this whole facility will either be new or completely refreshed.”

Hennigan says while the airport expansion project will completely revamp how the airport looks, it will still reflect the heart and spirit of Southwest Florida. Vibrant colors, sunset views and local restaurants will all be a part of the upgrades.

A rendering of the brand-new Concourse E. -COURTESY PHOTO

Popular local spots like Fort Myers Brewing and Key Lime Pie Bistro opened up new locations inside the airport as part of the expansion plan to help bring the tastes of Southwest Florida to locals and visitors alike. Fort Myers Brewing has been operating in RSW for about a year, while Key Lime Pie Bistro just opened up in January.

“The airport is going to be a completely different look and feel, but it’s going to be the same sense of place,” said Hennigan. “So, I think they’re going to end up with a product and a service that they can be proud of, that gives that sense of Southwest Florida.”

Jenna Lynn of Pittsburgh stopped at Fort Myers Brewing at the airport on her way back home from spending a long weekend on Sanibel. She popped in for a quick drink before her flight and said the service was excellent and the food looked good. She also appreciated getting a touch more Florida sun via a skylight before returning home to the cold weather and gray skies of Western Pennsylvania.

“I hung out at Fort Myers Brewing because the seating by my gate was crowded. The restaurant was busy!” said Lynn. “There were skylights so you could still get a little sunshine, too.”

Travelers may notice some restaurants and shops inside of the airport have closed. Sbarro and Great American Bagel have both recently closed in Concourse C. Recent closures in the main terminal include Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Brighton Collectibles, Coastal News, Dylan’s Candy Bar and PGA Tour Shop.

Local favorites like Key Lime Bistro are opening sites at the airport. -COURTESY PHOTO

However, new food and beverage options have been installed to make sure travelers still have plenty of choices to grab a bite or quench their thirst while waiting for their flight. For those who are looking for national restaurant chains, Hennigan says a brand new Chick-Fil-A will be opening in the airport in the future and construction on a new Starbucks in Concourse D has already begun with an anticipated opening date set for Fall 2026.

Brand new self-serve kiosks have also been installed in the last few weeks. They are similar to vending machines, but instead of snacks, they offer hot and cold food from some popular restaurant chains like White Castle and the Cheesecake Factory. If you aren’t in the mood for piping hot sliders or cool and creamy mini cheesecake bites, you can also get more unique fare. Check out the pork dumplings from the Wow Bao kiosk or a hearty breakfast sandwich from the Evolve Breakfast kiosk.

Several tables have been added around the kiosks so travelers can sit down and enjoy their food. Hennigan said sales at these self-serve locations have been great and people have been very receptive to the unique dining idea.

“If we can be innovative, bring something to the market that has never been seen, you know, why not try it? It’s fun,” said Hennigan. “It generates some excitement.”

And while the expansion project is bringing more space and more dining options to people passing through RSW, it is also bringing its fair share of challenges. Airport construction at any time of year will have impacts, especially during this busy travel season.

However, Hennigan says his team is more than prepared to handle the challenges head-on and assist travelers to the best of their ability. Airport staff members wearing red vests have been added all around RSW to make sure everyone gets to where they are going safely and on time.

“You’ll see our red vests, our customer service professionals that are out there. They’re highly visible and they’re all over the place,” said Hennigan. “So, what we’ve really tried to do is enhance that guest passenger experience and be proactive and really guide people through the system.”

A temporary TSA security checkpoint opened at Concourse C in the beginning of February. That has also helped to alleviate long wait times and passenger “traffic jams” during construction.

Hennigan still suggests that people give themselves plenty of time when arriving at the airport for their departing flights while construction is going on. He acknowledges that RSW is known for its speed and ease of passage, but he encourages people to get to the airport a little earlier than usual. And if you do, you can enjoy all of the new food and beverage options that are now in place.

New self-serve kiosks offer cold and hot foods for travelers. -COURTESY PHOTO

The self-serve Evolve Breakfast kiosk is new to RSW. -COURTESY PHOTO

“I know we’re known for being able to just show right up and cruise right through, but this time of the year, there are impacts,” said Hennigan. “So instead of saying ‘Hey, I know I can rush right through it,’ grab something to eat or grab something to drink at Ft. Myers Brewing and take a little time to relax.”

The RSW expansion project is ongoing, and so travelers will notice construction at the airport for quite some time. Once completed, the project will add several new amenities and facilities to Southwest Florida International Airport. 14 new gates and infrastructure to support 19 gates will be added. A brand-new Concourse E will be built that includes a new TSA checkpoint and even more retail and dining options. Additionally, the expansion will feature a new ticketing lobby, a new bag claim area, and a new baggage handling system. Road and curbside improvements are also in the works. The project, which broke ground in 2021, has an anticipated completion date of December 2027.

Construction will be ongoing for the RSW expansion project. -COURTESY PHOTO

The price tag for the airport expansion project is expected to climb past the $1 billion mark. It is on track to become Lee County’s largest public works project ever. However, none of the funds will be obtained through taxes. Instead, the project is being funded through grants and different streams of airport revenue.

As such, Hennigan says locals here in Southwest Florida will benefit the most.

“The business model that we have…we don’t take any taxes,” said Hennigan. “So, everybody that lives here is getting the benefit. The outcome is going to be just such a crowning jewel for the county.”

To stay up to date on the Southwest Florida International Airport expansion project and get updated traveler advisories, visit flylcpa.com/projects-and-development. This information is also being posted and updated on the airport’s social media pages.