Tampa International Airport (TPA) is one step closer to starting a main terminal ticketing level expansion project.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A $25.4 million design and build \u201cPart One\u201d contract with Austin Commercial was approved today by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA). Established by the 1945 Florida legislature, the organization has jurisdiction and control over publicly owned airports in the county.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ticketing level has kind of been in its current configuration since the airport opened in 1971,\u201d said TPA senior manager of communications Joshua Gillin. \u201cTravel has changed and the needs of all of our passengers and airlines have changed. The plan is to modernize it in a fashion that reflects the modern traveler and the experience that they expect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to an airport document, TPA\u2019s 2022 Master Plan Update \u201crecommended expanding and optimizing the ticket level to meet the growth requirements and correct operational deficiencies to accommodate up to 38 million annual passengers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plans include increasing the area by 14,000 square feet. This will make room for 28 new counter locations. Additionally, TPA leaders are interested in \u201crelocating and consolidating the airline ticket offices\u201d to a new 30,000-square-foot space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The current 135,000-square-foot ticketing level will also be renovated to \u201caccommodate the new counter layouts,\u201d according to an airport document. These components will \u201csignificantly improve customer queuing and circulation and incorporate the latest technology.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A Request for Qualifications for the project was issued in September 2025. In February, the HCAA board approved negotiations with the Dallas-based Austin Commercial, which also has an office in Tampa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Funding for the initiative was approved by HCAA in September as part of its fiscal year 2026 capital budget. The estimated cost for the project in its entirety, Gillin said, is $285.7 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A \u201cPart Two\u201d contract for construction will be awarded in 2027, he added. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2029. More details will be announced in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Design services commenced today.\u00a0<\/p>\n