Tampa International Airport has unveiled new designs for its long-anticipated Airside D terminal, a $1.5 billion project that will mark the airport's first new terminal in nearly two decades. The terminal will feature 16 gates and span roughly 600,000 square feet, according to a June 5 announcement.

The new terminal is being delivered by a team led by Colorado-based Hensel Phelps, in collaboration with Kansas City-headquartered HNTB and global design firm Gensler, based in San Francisco. According to airport officials, Airside D will include two primary levels, a mezzanine, a new shuttle system and guideway, and an international arrivals facility.

Construction on the terminal officially began with a groundbreaking in December 2024. Since then, the team has been busy with enabling work including demolition, fencing installation, and mobilizing construction offices.

The cost of the project has nearly doubled since it was originally awarded. “The increase was the result of inflation that had continued since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jeff Siddle, the airport’s vice president of planning and development, in a 2024 interview with the Tampa Bay Business Journal. He explained that “the original estimate was pulled from 2021 data, which didn’t reflect the market at the time.”

Airside D represents Phase 3 of Tampa International’s master plan, a comprehensive development strategy designed to handle rising passenger volumes. While the airport currently serves approximately 25 million travelers annually, that number is expected to rise to 35 million by 2037.

The first two phases of the master plan have already delivered major upgrades, including:

• A complete redevelopment of the main terminal
• The addition of the SkyConnect Automated People Mover
• Construction of a new central utility plant
• Completion of the SkyCenter One office building

The Airside D terminal aims to expand capacity and improve passenger experience with modern amenities and international processing capabilities. Renderings show a sleek, light-filled terminal interior with wide concourses and sustainable design features.

Airport officials expect the terminal to be fully operational by late 2028, bringing much-needed gate capacity and positioning Tampa International to meet future demand.

As passenger traffic continues to rise and construction costs remain volatile, the airport’s leadership sees the project as both timely and essential. The design and construction team is emphasizing long-term efficiency, ease of use, and resilience to accommodate the evolving needs of air travel.

With Airside D, Tampa International joins a growing list of U.S. airports investing in terminal modernization to compete globally and improve the traveler experience.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.