5 Huge Changes Confirmed for Popular Florida Airport in 2026

Some BIG changes are coming this year to a popular Florida airport!

A hotspot for Florida tourism and travel, Tampa International Airport (TPA) attracts travelers from far and wide who are looking to visit local Tampa theme parks, aquariums, zoos, beaches, islands, museums, sports venues — and even Disney World! This well-regarded airport is about to get even better, thanks to some notable improvements set to debut this year.

According to the Tampa International Airport, 2026 is bringing with it some construction projects and new features — from modernization upgrades to new terminals — to the airport.

The airport is currently working on a state-of-the-art, 16-gate Airside terminal designed for international and domestic flights. The final design is still in the works and will hopefully be revealed soon. According to TPA, “Construction to the northwest of the Airport’s Main Terminal has so far been focused on enabling work, foundations and drainage, but you can expect to see structural steel beams starting to come up from the ground later this year.”

Transportation is also getting an upgrade, with the shuttles from the Main Terminal to Airsides A, C, and E getting replaced with “completely modern third-generation models.” This update will feature “redesigned cars and new operating software and switchgear from the very same Pittsburgh-area company that designed and manufactured the first two generations.” Get ready for new blue shuttles at A and C as the red counterparts get swapped out. “All Blue and Red shuttles at the three Airsides are scheduled to be replaced this year.”

TPA is expanding its Public Art Program with more pieces coming to the relatively new Red Express Curbsides opening in 2025, but the collection is due to expand again. “Several installations are earmarked inside Airside D, but also our expanded Security Screening Checkpoints in Airsides A and E, which also opened last year.” TPA is conducting a search for talented artists and is asking them to submit proposals for the available spaces. You can learn more on TPA’s Call for Artists landing page.

In 2025, the airport opened a brand-new security screening checkpoint in Airside E, “adding almost 20,000 square feet of space to the building, but the rest of the structure is now due to get a new metal roof and gutters.” Scaffolding will go up over the next couple of months, and travelers will notice the roof being replaced in phases. No significant interruptions are expected during the construction, which is currently scheduled to be done by the end of 2027.

The Ticketing Level on the second floor of the Main Terminal will also undergo several years’ worth of renovations. Per TPA, “The way people travel has changed a lot since the Airport opened in 1971, so we’re planning to move and consolidate office spaces, expand the number of ticket counters and check-in kiosks and provide more room for our travelers as they prepare for their flights.”

Additionally, the airport promised that the redesigned space will “tie into a new, consolidated baggage processing system that will serve all our Airsides in the future.” Immediate construction is not expected, but work may begin later this year.

We’ll continue to follow airport construction and general travel developments over the coming years, so keep it posted right here at AllEars for the latest updates!

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