{"id":279653,"date":"2026-05-21T16:34:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/279653\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:34:11","slug":"tampa-airport-eyes-air-taxi-hub-near-westshore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/279653\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa airport eyes air-taxi hub near Westshore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampa International Airport<\/a> is studying an \u201cair mobility facility\u201d connected to SkyConnect that could eventually link the airport with downtown Tampa and other regional destinations through rail, automated people movers and electric air taxis.<\/p>\n

Airport Chief Executive Michael Stephens said Thursday the facility could connect passengers to rail service, buses, automated people movers and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as EVTOLs, as Tampa International prepares for passenger traffic to increase sharply over the next decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have thought about the notion of creating an air mobility facility,\u201d Stephens said during a presentation to Tampa City Council. \u201cIt will have EVTOL, which is going to be coming to us pretty soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephens showed concept images of travelers leaving SkyConnect and entering a transit hub with rail connections, bus access and EVTOL aircraft flying above highway traffic into downtown Tampa and other destinations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a vision of an EVTOL standing above the traffic, taking you from the airport to points beyond,\u201d Stephens said.<\/p>\n

\"ConceptTPA<\/a> unveiled a concept linking Westshore, downtown Tampa and future air-taxi routes.<\/p>\n

Tampa International previously discussed potential air-taxi routes across Tampa Bay, including connections to St. Petersburg<\/a> and Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands. Thursday\u2019s presentation showed how airport officials envision integrating the aircraft into a broader regional transportation system tied directly to airport infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The airport\u2019s transit plans surfaced again later Thursday during public comment on the Tampa Bay Rays\u2019 proposed stadium agreement, when Westshore Alliance Executive Director Michael Marino pointed to Stephens\u2019 earlier presentation and said the proposed stadium district could become part of the broader transit network developing around Tampa International and Westshore.<\/p>\n

Marino said a proposed SkyLink transit hub near the former DoubleTree hotel site could eventually connect to downtown Tampa, St. Petersburg and the proposed Rays development.<\/p>\n

\"Interior\"Interior<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s now not just a stadium site,\u201d Marino said. \u201cThis is a regional economic catalyst.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephens discussed the transit vision as Tampa International continues work on Airside D<\/a>, a 600,000-square-foot international terminal expected to open in 2029.<\/p>\n

Stephens said annual passenger traffic could grow from about 26 million travelers this year to roughly 36 million within the next decade. He said the $1.5 billion expansion will be funded primarily through airport revenues and bonds rather than property taxes.<\/p>\n

Read More Tampa Bay Business News<\/p>\n

\n Explore the latest Tampa Bay business<\/a> news, real estate<\/a> deals, development projects, executive moves and company updates shaping the region.\n <\/p>\n

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