Completion of design moves TPA toward a modern airside built around passenger comfort, efficiency and sense of place

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2026)  – HNTB has reached the 100% design milestone for Tampa International Airport’s (TPA) Airside D, marking a major step forward for the airport’s first new airside terminal in nearly 20 years. In close collaboration with TPA and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA), the project team has advanced the $1.5 billion transformational project from design to construction.

Airside D brings together a 16-gate airside program and domestic and international Federal Inspection Services (FIS) passenger processing within a cohesive terminal environment. The design aligns gate planning, movement patterns and a daylight-driven building form to create a space that performs efficiently while remaining clear and comfortable for passengers.

“Reaching the 100% design milestone reflects the dedication and collaboration of our entire project team and our partners at TPA and the HCAA,” said Scott Steckler, aviation architecture managing principal at HNTB. “With the design phase now complete, we’re ready to advance into full construction and bring a shared vision to life — one that balances the complexity of a major international gateway with a clear, intuitive passenger experience.”

New renderings released provide a view of key interior environments across the terminal, including:

• Central concessions, which is conceived as a daylit destination with form and light guiding passengers forward. Its architectural language draws from Tampa’s natural springs while accommodating core building systems.
• Hold rooms that are comfortably scaled and located with direct access to nearby concessions and restrooms.
• The Delta Sky Club, offering expansive airfield views along with visual connection to the gates below.
• Glass boarding bridges to preserve views of the airfield during boarding and arrival.
• The sterile corridor that runs along the perimeter, efficiently directing arriving passengers to the FIS while maintaining views into the departure level above.
• The FIS, which is defined by glass “lanterns” at each end, bringing daylight into the space and helping orient passengers as they move through.

“This new terminal is inspired by the natural beauty of the Tampa Bay region. It is bathed in daylight, with roof forms and flowing geometry working together to guide and inspire,” said Bo Roberts, design principal at HNTB. “The journey is intuitive, memorable and distinctly rooted in place.”

Airside D is organized around a continuous roof structure that establishes the terminal’s overall spatial order. As it moves across the building, the roof frames key program areas — including the concessions core and lounge level — while providing a unifying architectural presence throughout the airside.

The design prioritizes continuity and legibility. Changes in enclosure, volume and daylight are used deliberately to support passenger movement and orientation, creating a terminal environment that balances clarity, efficiency and comfort.

“Airside D is more than a new terminal; it is a bold vision for the future of travel in Tampa Bay. Thanks to the dedication and collaboration of our TPA team and partners, we’re setting a new standard for innovation, service and hospitality in our region,” said Michael Stephens, CEO of Tampa International Airport. “Once complete, Airside D will serve as Tampa Bay’s international gateway, welcoming the world with the world-class experience our guests expect from TPA.”

The project is being delivered through a design-build partnership led by Hensel Phelps, with HNTB leading the architectural, structural and civil design, and Gensler serving as associate architect. The terminal is anticipated to open in 2029.