Tampa International Airport (TPA) is moving forward with a $1.528 billion terminal project that will add 16 gates and a dedicated Federal Inspection Services area for international arrivals, expanding the airport's annual capacity to 35 million passengers by 2037. It is TPA's first new airside terminal in nearly 20 years.

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board approved the final design for Airside D on February 5, clearing the project for full construction. The 600,000-square-foot facility will serve both domestic and international flights and will include an eight-lane security checkpoint and a new checked baggage inspection system. The total cost includes a $902 million supplemental contract approved in late 2025.

Construction is already underway, with a 300-ton crane erecting a structural steel framework made up of roughly 6,200 tons of steel across more than 7,300 individual pieces. About 200 workers are currently on site daily, a number expected to grow as the project shifts into mechanical, electrical and interior work. The terminal was designed by HNTB, the same firm behind TPA's existing main terminal and people mover system. Completion is targeted for late 2028, with a public opening set for 2029.

The expansion comes as TPA approaches the limits of its current infrastructure. The airport handled approximately 24 million passengers in 2024, close to its existing 25 million capacity ceiling. Airside D is designed to accommodate continued growth without the gate constraints that would otherwise limit airline expansion.

Delta Air Lines has been named anchor tenant for the new terminal, signing a 20-year lease for at least six of the 16 gates — a commitment running through approximately 2049. The agreement includes a mezzanine-level Delta Sky Club, the airline's first purpose-built lounge at TPA. The remaining ten gates will be available to other carriers, with airport authorities retaining flexibility over their assignment.

Industry analysts note that a 20-year anchor lease at a mid-size airport is uncommon for Delta, which typically reserves such long-term commitments and dedicated lounges for its largest hubs. Delta currently operates about 45 daily departures from Tampa, including a year-round widebody route to Amsterdam on the Airbus A330-900neo — its only such international service from TPA to date. With a dedicated customs facility on the way, the carrier is positioned to expand international routes from Tampa without competing for gate space or processing capacity in the airport's existing international terminal.