Tampa International Airport just provided an update of its big Master Plan. These huge additions to the airport focus on customer convenience and overall efficiency from the time you arrive at the airport to when you hit your gate. One of the most exciting addition to the airport could be electric planes. These vessels are meant for regional travel and could mean one day we’d see flights available between Tampa and St. Pete or Sarasota.
TPA is incorporating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in its Master Plan. The FAA says we could see electric aircrafts carrying passengers by 2024/25. A maiden voyage on an electric aircraft was made back in 2022 in Washington state. Airport officials want to be ready when electric aircraft operators want to call TPA home.
Tampa International Airport prepares for a busy future
Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which oversees TPA, are already in talks with leaders in the advanced air mobility industry, such as Ferrovial, BETA Technologies, Skysports, Joby, and Wisk. Tampa International Airport officials have identified spots in the city that are already perfect for vertiports. The electric airplanes lift off vertically like helicopters, but are completely battery operated. Some of the first companies creating these electric airplanes could have the vessels certified and ready to launch by 2025.
During the Master Plan presentation, TPA officials also provided updates on Airside D. The new terminal will enable the Airport to serve an additional 13 million passengers by 2037, according to a release by TPA. Airside D’s 16 gates will serve domestic and international flights, bringing TPA’s total gates to 72. The building will be about 563,000 square feet with vast concessions space, an outdoor terrace, state-of-the-art Customs and security facilities, as well as new screening, gate check-in and bag processing technologies.
“Airside D will help us continue our tradition of staying ahead of trends and our region’s growth,” Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said. “Our new terminal’s bright, open spaces will feature the latest in technology and convenience for our passengers and will deliver the 5-star travel experience for which TPA is known.”
