Have Your Say: Tampa Airport's Airside D Design Sessions This July!

Tampa International Airport, Tampa, FL, USA - The Tampa International Airport (TPA) is on the verge of a significant transformation with the upcoming development of Airside D, the first new airside terminal in nearly two decades. As the design phase comes to a close, TPA is inviting the community to engage through three public listening sessions scheduled for July. These gatherings will allow Tampa Bay travelers to voice their thoughts and suggestions regarding this expansive project.

According to Tampa International Airport’s official site, the listening sessions will be held in different locations to ensure broad participation:

• Hillsborough County: July 16, 6-7:30 p.m. at TPA Main Terminal Event Space.
• Pinellas County: July 24, 6-7:30 p.m. at EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College, Clearwater.
• Pasco County: July 29, 6-7:30 p.m. at Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel, Lutz.

These sessions will be open to the public with no RSVP required. Attendees can expect to see the latest designs, renderings, and construction schedules, and take part in small group discussions aimed at refining the project design before its completion later this year.

The Vision for Airside D

The new Airside D terminal will span approximately 600,000 square feet and feature 16 gates dedicated to both international and domestic flights. As detailed by Construction Dive, the ambitious project will also include a mezzanine, two levels, a new shuttle system, and a facility specifically for international passenger processing.

Breaking ground in December 2024, the construction project is being managed by Hensel Phelps in collaboration with architectural firm HNTB, with Gensler also lending their expertise. These professionals are working hard to turn the ambitious vision for Airside D into reality, a task that has seen costs rise to a preliminary estimate of $1.5 billion—almost double the original forecast. This shift in costing has been largely attributed to inflation and the outdated projections from 2021.

Growing Passengers and Future Ready

With TPA anticipating a rise in annual passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million by 2037, the construction of Airside D is central to the airport’s master plan. The earlier phases of this plan already included significant improvements such as the redevelopment of the main terminal, the introduction of the SkyConnect Automated People Mover, and the establishment of the SkyCenter One office building. Now, Airside D stands as a pivotal piece in accommodating future growth.

The importance of community feedback in shaping this new terminal cannot be overstated. Feedback collected from the public sessions will provide crucial insights for the design-build team as they finalize the details of the building’s design, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. For those who want to learn more about the project, details can be found at AirsideD.com.

As we look forward to the exciting developments ahead, it’s clear that Airside D will not only enhance our airport’s capabilities but also strengthen Florida’s travel infrastructure for generations to come.