Tampa International Airport
(TPA) has announced that Delta Air Lines signed an agreement to use at least six gates at the airport’s new Airside D facilities, which are expected to open in 2028.
Anchor tenant
Tampa International stated that 
Delta Air Lines
, which currently has six gates and a Delta Sky Club
on Airside E at the airport, will become the anchor tenant for the airport’s new Airside D, which is scheduled to open in 2028.
“The contract outlines the anchor tenant’s commitment to occupy at least six gates in Airside D and operate a lounge space on the building’s Mezzanine level. Delta’s contract term lasts for up to 20 years.”
Joe Lopano, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Tampa International, said that the airline has been an excellent partner as one of the airport’s longest-operating and largest carriers. The airport is thrilled to extend the partnership to its new airside facilities.
Photo: Drew Horne | Shutterstock
“This agreement will bring a world-class airline to what will be a world-class facility for our international and domestic routes. We look forward to continuing the high standards and excellence of both TPA and Delta as we elevate the travel experience for our guests here in Tampa Bay.”
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Serving flights for over 65 years
Tampa International highlighted that Delta Air Lines has been the longest-serving domestic airline at the airport, with their joint history stretching back 65 years. It also offers the largest network out of the airport, serving 13 destinations and an average of 36 daily departures in 2024.
“Over the past 10 years, Delta and its partners have carried almost 33 million domestic passengers and more than 1 million international passengers.”
Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning system shows that Delta Air Lines is the third-largest airline at the airport in February in terms of weekly flights and weekly seats.
Photo: Bill McKeon | Shutterstock
In comparison to Delta’s 255 weekly departures from the airport, resulting in 48,907 weekly seats, 
American Airlines
and 
Southwest Airlines
offer 304 (49,602 seats) and 503 (81,081 seats) weekly departures, respectively.
Additionally, Delta Air Lines is one of four airlines offering international flights from Tampa in February. The US-based airline has daily flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
(AMS), while 
British Airways
and Virgin Atlantic
fly to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Heathrow Airport (LHR), respectively.
Lufthansa Group’s long-haul leisure airline, Discover Airlines, has a four-per-week service to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), according to Cirium’s Diio Mi data.
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Growing to 35 million passengers
Tampa International Airport announced that Airside D will be its first new airside in nearly 20 years. Scheduled to open in 2028, the $1.5 billion project will add 16 new international and domestic gates.
“As one of Florida’s four large hub airports, Tampa International Airport is growing at an astonishing rate, serving an estimated 25 million passengers traveling through the Airport in 2024.”
Image: Tampa International
Tampa International highlighted that by 2037, it should serve up to 35 million annual passengers, with the new Airside D helping to handle that projected growth. So far, the airport’s only announced tenant at the upcoming facility is Delta Air Lines.
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