Tampa International Airport is making one of the largest investments in its history as it prepares for millions of additional passengers and continued growth in domestic and international air service.<\/p>\n
At the center of that expansion is Airside D, a massive new terminal expected to cost approximately $1.528 billion and open to passengers in 2029.<\/p>\n
The new facility will add 16 gates capable of serving domestic and international flights, along with a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, airline lounges, restaurants, shops, baggage-handling facilities and an automated shuttle connection to the Main Terminal.<\/p>\n
Travelers can follow the project through Tampa International Airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n Why Tampa Needs Another Airside<\/p>\n Tampa International Airport currently serves approximately 25 million passengers annually, but airport planners expect passenger traffic to climb significantly during the coming years.<\/p>\n TPA has been planning its facilities around the ability to eventually accommodate approximately 35 million annual passengers by 2037.<\/p>\n The airport\u2019s 2022 Master Plan Update determined that the existing four Airsides would be unable to efficiently accommodate additional demand once passenger traffic reaches approximately 27.5 million travelers annually.<\/p>\n At that level, airport planners projected a shortage of eight gates. Without expansion, that deficit could grow to 13 gates by 2032.<\/p>\n Airside D is designed to address that problem by adding 16 gates and substantially more passenger-processing capacity.<\/p>\n The project represents the third and final major phase of the long-range Tampa International Airport Master Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Previous phases resulted in major improvements including the Rental Car Center, SkyConnect automated people mover, roadway expansion, Main Terminal improvements, Blue Express Curbsides and other infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n International Passenger Growth Is a Major Factor<\/p>\n One of the biggest reasons Tampa needs Airside D is the airport\u2019s growing international business.<\/p>\n International passengers currently arriving on many overseas flights are processed through the Federal Inspection Services facility at Airside F.<\/p>\n Airport planning documents show that the existing facility has the ability to process approximately 900 passengers during a peak hour.<\/p>\n Future demand requires capacity for approximately 1,530 international passengers during a peak hour, according to airport planning documents.<\/p>\n The new Airside D will provide that additional capacity with its own international passenger-processing facilities and U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation.<\/p>\n The official financial and project details are available through Tampa International Airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n That distinction is important when looking at reports claiming Tampa is spending $1.5 billion specifically to avoid \u201closing half\u201d of its international passengers.<\/p>\n TPA\u2019s own planning materials describe a different issue: the airport needs substantially more Customs, gate and passenger-processing capacity to accommodate expected future demand. The airport has not publicly projected that half of its international passengers will simply disappear if Airside D is not built.<\/p>\n Airside D Will Be TPA\u2019s Largest Airside<\/p>\n At approximately 600,000 square feet, Airside D will become the largest Airside terminal on the Tampa International Airport campus.<\/p>\n The new facility is being built between existing Airsides C and E and will include:<\/p>\n 16 gates for domestic and international flights The final design was approved by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority in February 2026.<\/p>\n Additional design information is available from Tampa International Airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n Delta Air Lines Will Be the Anchor Tenant<\/p>\n One of the country\u2019s largest airlines has already made a major commitment to Airside D.<\/p>\n Delta Air Lines<\/a> was selected as the new terminal\u2019s anchor tenant by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.<\/p>\n Delta has committed to occupying at least six of Airside D\u2019s 16 gates.<\/p>\n The airline will also operate one of the terminal\u2019s two lounge spaces, with a Delta Sky Club planned for the mezzanine level.<\/p>\n Delta currently operates from Airside E at Tampa International Airport. Moving a substantial portion of its operation into Airside D will also create additional gate flexibility elsewhere on the airport campus.<\/p>\n The agreement allows Delta\u2019s commitment to Airside D to extend for as long as 20 years.<\/p>\n
\nA new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility
\nInternational baggage claim
\nA TSA security checkpoint
\nNew baggage-handling facilities
\nGlass passenger boarding bridges
\nA new automated passenger shuttle and guideway
\nRestaurants and retail businesses
\nTwo airline lounge spaces
\nA children\u2019s play area
\nA sensory room
\nA quiet room
\nExtensive passenger seating and charging outlets
\nNatural lighting and landscaping throughout the facility<\/p>\n