Tampa Airport to Open New Terminal by 2029
The $1.528 billion Airside D project will add 16 gates and boost annual capacity to 35 million passengers.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Air Travel
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Tampa International Airport is building a 600,000-square-foot terminal known as Airside D to accommodate growing travel demand. The facility is expected to be completed in late 2028 and open to the public in 2029.
Why it matters
The new terminal addresses passenger traffic that is nearing the airport's existing capacity limit of 25 million people. Its dedicated Federal Inspection Services area will also allow the airport to handle more widebody international arrivals.
The 16-gate facility covers 600,000 square feet and relies on 6,200 tons of structural steel. Construction currently involves approximately 200 workers on-site daily.
The players
Tampa International Airport
This facility is the primary aviation hub for the Tampa Bay region and serves as the construction site for the new terminal.
Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board
This governing body oversees the operation, development, and planning of the county's aviation facilities.
Delta Air Lines
This major carrier operates approximately 45 daily departures from Tampa and will serve as the anchor tenant for the new terminal.
The details
The project includes a supplemental $902 million contract approved in late 2025 to support the complex assembly of steel components. Delta Air Lines has secured a 20-year anchor lease for at least six gates and will feature a mezzanine-level Sky Club.
Timeline
Late 2025: Supplemental construction contract was approved.
February 5, 2026: The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board finalized the design.
Summer 2026: Targeted timeframe for erecting the structural steel framework.
Late 2028: Targeted completion of the terminal construction.
2029: The projected year for the facility to open to the public.
Travel Outlook
This construction aligns with long-term infrastructure planning to accommodate increasing passenger volumes throughout the region. It marks a significant shift from current operational constraints to a future capacity of 35 million annual travelers by 2037.
Travelers should prepare for ongoing construction activity at the airport through 2028 as crews complete the steel framework. Once open in 2029, the terminal will offer expanded international options and new amenities like the Delta Sky Club.
The takeaway
The terminal expansion reflects a necessary investment to keep pace with the significant growth of the Tampa area. Travelers can expect wider connectivity options for international routes once the facility becomes operational in 2029.
What happens next
Structural steel assembly for the new terminal is scheduled to commence in Summer 2026, with the facility projected to reach construction completion in late 2028.
Further reading
For more information on regional aviation developments, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
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