Quantcast

Tampa International Airport to handle 39 million passengers annually by 2042

Tampa International Airport to handle 39 million passengers annually by 2042
Policy

Tampa International Airport, currently handling approximately 25 million passengers annually, is projected to expand its capacity to about 39 million by 2042. This growth is attributed to a rise in air travel, Florida's increasing population, and the surge in tourism attracted to Tampa's beaches. The airport currently ranks as the fourth-busiest airport in Florida, following those in Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

The facility has recently opened a new Airside E, contributing to its infrastructure enhancements. CEO Joe Lopano emphasized, “This is not Tampa’s airport. This is the airport for the west coast of Florida.”

Tampa's leap into aviation history is noteworthy with the January 1, 1914, inaugural flight of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, regarded as the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight using an airplane. Today, the airport's expansion includes a significant increase in international flights to Latin American and Caribbean nations, with 21 nonstop routes compared to only five in 2011.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

This April, Tampa International Airport plans to operate 16,954 flights from 22 airlines, providing up to 2.9 million seats. Southwest Airlines leads with the highest seating capacity, followed by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Tampa serves nonstop flights to 100 destinations in 12 countries, with its longest route to Zürich operated by Edelweiss Air.

Tampa International's flights are predominantly domestic, facilitated by major carriers such as Southwest, American, Delta, Frontier, United, Spirit, and JetBlue. On the international front, it welcomes flights from Canada with carriers like Air Canada, Porter Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and WestJet forming the majority. Additional international routes are offered by airlines from countries like Mexico and Germany.

Interestingly, cheap and point-to-point service airlines like Breeze Airways compete by offering flights to more destinations, although with fewer total flights. North of the border, Canada maintains the most connections to Tampa.

Meanwhile, Florida’s population is growing rapidly following a historical boom after WWII. With a population of 23.5 million in 2025, the state is the third most populous in the US and continues to grow swiftly.

As Tampa and its airport grow in parallel with Florida's development, both the domestic and international flight numbers are seeing a drastic rise. Tampa International Airport remains a pivotal hub for travel in the west coast of Florida, steadily increasing its passenger numbers annually.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Allegiant Air has announced the addition of seven new nonstop routes and the commencement of service at Fort Myers (RSW), expanding its all-nonstop network.

Jul 30, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced open positions and is inviting candidates to apply online or by email, according to a post on X. According to Food Logistics, Flying Food Group is a leading provider of airline catering and food solutions,...

Jul 30, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced a limited-time sale on overseas flight and hotel packages, featuring discounts for Hawaii and group savings.

Jul 30, 2025

Alaska Airlines has announced the return of its annual fall sale, offering hundreds of one-way flights starting at $49 or 4,000 miles for a limited time.

Jul 30, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced special offers to promote travel to Shikoku, including a group discount and a limited-time sightseeing train package, according to a post on X. Shikoku is renowned for its diverse landscapes, historic temples, and...

Jul 30, 2025

Air India has announced an update on compensation and support for families affected by the AI171 accident.

Jul 30, 2025