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Tampa International Airport (TPA) has revealed the final design for its long-awaited Airside D project. This marks the airport’s first brand-new airside terminal in nearly 20 years. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors officially approved the 100% design phase this week and cleared the way for vertical construction to begin later this year.
Airside D will be a state-of-the-art, 16-gate international and domestic gateway designed to meet Tampa Bay’s surging travel demand. The project carries an estimated total cost of $1.528 billion and the board also approved a $902 million supplemental contract to support continued development. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2028 with the new facility opening to the public in 2029.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) currently serves roughly 25 million passengers annually, but airport leaders project that number could rise to 35 million passengers per year by 2037. Airside D is a cornerstone investment aimed at accommodating that growth while enhancing the airport’s role as an international gateway for the region. At 600,000 square feet, Airside D will become the largest airside terminal at the airport. It will feature an open and airy design with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and architectural elements inspired by the Tampa Bay landscape.
One of the most notable aspects of the final design is how strongly it reflects traveler input. During a series of public listening sessions held last summer across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, community members helped shape the amenities they want most in the new terminal.
Several key additions were made directly in response, including:
- Expanded power outlet availability throughout the terminal
- Increased indoor plants and greenery to create a calmer atmosphere
- A dedicated children’s play area for families traveling with young kids
- A quiet room designed to help passengers manage sensory overload
These enhancements reinforce the airport’s reputation for combining efficiency with passenger comfort.
Modern Infrastructure and Premium Amenities
The final design also incorporates a wide range of previously announced features that will modernize both domestic and international operations. Airside D will include:
- Cutting-edge automated shuttles matching new systems being installed at Airsides A, C, and E
- A modern TSA security checkpoint
- A ground-level international arrivals inspection facility
- A mezzanine level featuring two lounges, including a brand-new Delta Sky Club and a common-use lounge
- Innovative digital media installations displaying dynamic moving imagery
- Glass boarding bridges offering panoramic airfield views
- Centralized dining and retail spaces with 360-degree gate sightlines
- Two lounges
The terminal will also feature more than 10 food and retail units as part of a broader, multi-phase concessions redevelopment program launching airport-wide over the next year.
Delta Sky Club® and Airline Relocations
Delta Air Lines will serve as the anchor tenant for Airside D. It will receive at least six preferential-use gates near a new Sky Club® expected to measure at least 18,000 square feet. The lounge will include expanded kitchen and storage facilities with the possibility of a direct connection to one gate.
Many international carriers currently operating from Terminal F are expected to relocate to Airside D, including:
- British Airways
- Cayman Airways
- Copa Airlines
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss Air
- Porter Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
This shift will consolidate international departures and arrivals into a purpose-built facility, significantly upgrading Tampa’s global connectivity.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) broke ground on Airside D in December 2024 and has spent the past year preparing the site for major construction. Early work has included removing and recycling concrete, installing secure fencing, setting up contractor offices, and building foundational structures in advance of steel framing expected to begin this summer.
Anthony’s Take: I’m biased since I live here half the time, but Tampa International Airport (TPA) is one of my favorite airports. I can’t wait for this upgrade to make a great facility even better.
(Image Credits: TPA.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
