TAMPA — Tampa International Airport’s (TPA) Airside D project has moved a major step closer to reality, with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board approving the final (100%) design for the airport’s first new airside terminal in nearly 20 years.

The US$1.528 billion, 16-gate facility is positioned as a new international and domestic gateway for Tampa Bay, with construction expected to go vertical this year, wrap in late 2028, and open to passengers in 2029.

Renderings and a new animation show an open, light-filled 600,000-square-foot terminal—the largest airside at TPA—featuring traveler-driven upgrades like more power outlets, added greenery, a dedicated children’s play area, and a quiet room.

Planned amenities also include new shuttle vehicles, a modern TSA checkpoint, a ground-level international arrivals inspection facility, a mezzanine with a Delta Sky Club and a common-use lounge, glass boarding bridges, and a central concessions layout designed around 360-degree gate views.