Five TPA highlights to anticipate in 2025
From brand-new shuttles to international routes, here are five exciting things on their way to TPA in the new year.
The new year is shaping up to feature plenty of growth and improvement at America's Favorite Airport.
Travelers passing through TPA in 2025 can expect to enjoy new amenities, including expanded security checkpoints at Airsides A and E, sleek new shuttles at Airsides A and C, the Red Express Curbsides and much more.
Here's a preview of five major highlights on their way to TPA in the coming months.
New routes on their way:
With more than 100 nonstop destinations available from Tampa International Airport, it can be a challenge to keep up with the latest route offerings.
In 2025, several new routes will be available, including TPA's first-ever nonstop flights to Vancouver, British Columbia.
On June 4, Air Canada will begin flying twice-weekly flights to Vancouver on Wednesdays and Sundays. The following week, WestJet will begin once-weekly nonstop service to Vancouver, operating on Saturdays through Oct. 25, 2025. Also in June, Delta Air Lines will offer up daily nonstop service to Austin, TX.
Our Air Service Development team is always working to bring in new routes, so if you want want to learn the latest announcements, subscribe to our Air Service Digest newsletter.
New shuttles at Airsides A and C
Travelers flying out of Airsides A and C in recent months may have noticed that each Airside is currently operating with one shuttle instead of the regular two. The reason? Brand-new shuttles are on their way.
The iconic red and blue shuttle cars responsible for carrying travelers to and from those Airsides have been in operation since the 1990s and were due for replacement. In addition, the tracks below each of those shuttles were also in need of refurbishment. To make way for these new shuttles, construction crews have been working on one shuttle track at a time in order to keep one shuttle operable.
Pairs of sleek, brand-new shuttles will soon be on their way to TPA to replace the old ones, which have run more than one million miles since they were initially installed. These new shuttles will feature resilient flooring instead of the traditional carpet and boast an overhead informational display while keeping the traditional benches at the front and back of each car.
Keep your eye out for updates on the installation of these new and improved shuttle cars.
Red Express Curbsides
Passengers without checked bags will soon have another option for easy drop-off and pick-up at TPA. The all-new Red Express Curbsides are scheduled to open in mid-2025.
These Curbsides will function the same as the award-winning Blue Express Curbsides, which opened in November 2021. The Express Curbsides are a first-of-its-kind concept, and give outbound travelers the opportunity to skip the Ticketing Level and go straight to their gate, and help inbound travelers skip the Bag Claim Level and head straight for a ride from the Airport.
This expansion will improve the passenger pick-up and drop-off experience, reducing congestion and allowing passengers to skip the crowds and walk fewer steps from curb to gate.
TSA Security Checkpoint Expansion project completion
New year, new checkpoints! Construction has progressed quickly at Airsides A and E to add about 20,000 square feet of space at each Airside's TSA security screening checkpoint.
Both Airsides A and E were designed pre-TSA and were in need of more space for security to ensure a more seamless passenger experience. When this project is completed this year, each Airside's security checkpoint will feature seven screening lanes and plenty of space for travelers to get organized before heading to their gates.
Keep watching for more on when these checkpoints will open.
Airside D anchor tenant
One of TPA's most commonly asked questions in 2024 was which airlines will land at the new Airside D for its scheduled opening in 2028.
Groundbreaking on this 16-gate Airside occurred in late 2024, paving the way for TPA's largest Airside, which will be a home for both international and domestic flights.
The Airport has been working closely with its stakeholders to make an announcement on the anchor tenant, the airline that will partner with TPA to make its home at Airside D. TPA anticipates sharing that announcement soon. You can read more about Airside D here.
For the latest TPA news about everything from construction updates to route announcements, sign up for the On the Radar newsletter, a once-weekly recap that will keep you up-to-date and in the know.