Nashville Airport Plans Second Terminal to Meet Passenger Growth

Nashville’s Sky-High Ambitions: BNA Announces Plans for a Second Terminal

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is gearing up for its next monumental leap. On Monday, October 27, 2025, officials confirmed plans to construct a second terminal, a move designed to accommodate the explosive growth of Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region. This isn’t a sudden reaction to crowded security lines; it’s a calculated, forward-looking step in a multi-decade strategy to transform BNA into a premier global travel hub. The announcement marks the third major phase of development for an airport that has been in a near-constant state of evolution for the better part of a decade.

The need for such a massive undertaking is rooted in hard numbers. BNA served nearly 24 million passengers in its 2024 fiscal year and is on a trajectory to welcome 30 million annually by 2028. Projections show that by 2034, that number could swell to 35 million passengers. While the current terminal is being expanded to handle that capacity, airport leadership recognizes it as a ceiling. To move beyond it without compromising the passenger experience, a new facility is not just an option, it’s a necessity. This plan ensures that BNA can continue to serve as a powerful economic engine for the region rather than becoming a bottleneck to its growth.

This new terminal project doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It builds upon the foundation of two other multi-billion dollar initiatives: “BNA Vision” and the currently active “New Horizon.” Understanding these preceding phases is key to appreciating the scale and foresight of the airport’s long-term strategy. We’ve seen the airport systematically modernize its facilities, expand its current footprint, and now, prepare to nearly double its size for the decades to come.

A Legacy of Growth: From BNA Vision to New Horizon

Before looking ahead to a new terminal, it’s important to understand the groundwork that made this next step possible. The airport’s transformation began in earnest with “BNA Vision,” a comprehensive plan launched in 2017. This initial phase was focused on modernizing the airport’s core infrastructure and enhancing the traveler’s journey from the curb to the gate. It was a top-to-bottom renovation that touched nearly every aspect of the existing facility.

The Foundation: Completing the BNA Vision

The “BNA Vision” project, which wrapped up in 2023, delivered a host of critical upgrades. Travelers flying through BNA today experience its benefits directly, from the spacious and modern central terminal lobby to the expanded and streamlined security checkpoint. Key achievements also included a state-of-the-art International Arrivals Facility, new parking garages to ease congestion, and the convenience of an on-site Hilton hotel.

Each component was designed to address immediate needs while preparing the airport for a higher volume of traffic. The project was more than a facelift; it was a strategic overhaul that improved operational efficiency and passenger flow. By modernizing the airport’s core, “BNA Vision” set the stage for more ambitious expansions, proving that BNA could successfully manage large-scale construction while continuing to serve a rapidly growing number of passengers.

This foundational work was crucial. Without the modernized lobby, improved security, and added amenities, the subsequent capacity-focused expansions would have been far less effective. It was a necessary first step that ensured the heart of the airport was strong enough to support a much larger body.

Expanding the Footprint: The $3 Billion New Horizon

With the “BNA Vision” complete, the airport seamlessly transitioned to its next phase, “New Horizon.” Launched in 2022 and slated for completion by 2029, this $3 billion project is focused squarely on increasing the capacity of the existing terminal. It is a massive undertaking designed to squeeze every ounce of potential out of the current structure and its surrounding footprint.

Key components of “New Horizon” are already coming online. The extension of Concourse D, which added new gates and amenities, officially opened to the public on July 8, 2025. Meanwhile, work is underway to completely demolish and rebuild Concourse A, the airport’s oldest concourse. This reconstruction will dramatically expand its capacity from six to 16 gates, with a targeted completion date of July 2028. The project also includes significant upgrades to the baggage handling system and terminal access roadways to manage the increased flow of people and planes.

However, even this colossal $3 billion investment has a defined limit. Airport officials have been clear that “New Horizon” will bring the current terminal to its maximum comfortable capacity of 35 million annual passengers. With projections showing BNA will hit that number by 2034, the project itself highlights the mathematical certainty that a second terminal is the only viable long-term solution.

The Next Frontier: Planning for a Second Terminal

The official announcement of a second terminal on October 27, 2025, moved the airport’s long-term strategy from the drawing board to the public stage. This next chapter is the culmination of years of planning and forecasting, driven by the undeniable reality of Nashville’s sustained growth. It represents a strategic pivot from maximizing the current facility to building for a new era of air travel in the region.

The Justification is in the Numbers

The decision to build a second terminal is a direct response to BNA’s staggering passenger growth. Having served nearly 24 million passengers in the 2024 fiscal year, the airport is on a clear path to reach 30 million by 2028. The critical number, however, is 35 million, the maximum capacity the current terminal can comfortably handle once the “New Horizon” expansions are complete. With forecasts predicting BNA will reach that milestone by 2034, the clock is already ticking.

Airport leadership is determined to stay ahead of the curve and avoid the operational challenges that come with overcrowding. The goal is to maintain a high-quality passenger experience, and that means having the necessary infrastructure in place before it’s critically needed. This proactive approach is essential for an airport that has become synonymous with the city it serves.

“The terminal behind us is built to be comfortable handling 35 million. Can it do more? Yes. But it will be crowded and people will be fussing. We don’t really have more room to grow in this current terminal. The reason we’re talking about it right now in ’24 is because you’ve got to start turning on switches to get things in place to where 10 years from today, we’re doing another ribbon-cutting on a new terminal.”

Location, Timeline, and What We Know

The planning for this future terminal is already well underway. In May 2024, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) board designated a 309-acre property located south of the existing terminal complex as the preferred site for the new development. This decision followed a thorough evaluation of eight potential locations, with the southern site being chosen for its strategic advantages.

This is a long-term vision, with a projected opening targeted for 2034 or 2035. Building an entirely new airport terminal is a complex, multi-year process involving extensive design, environmental reviews, and massive construction efforts. The decade-long timeline reflects the scale of the project and the airport’s commitment to getting it right.

While a final price tag has not been announced, officials describe it as a “multibillion-dollar” project. Funding is expected to follow a similar model to the “New Horizon” expansion, utilizing a combination of bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), and other airport-generated funds. This self-sustaining model ensures that the financial burden does not fall on local taxpayers.

Concluding Section: Nashville’s Gateway to the Future

The plan to build a second terminal at Nashville International Airport is more than just a construction project; it’s a bold declaration of the city’s future. It reflects a deep understanding of the region’s growth trajectory and a commitment to maintaining the infrastructure needed to support it. By moving through phased, strategic expansions, from the modernizations of “BNA Vision” to the capacity-building of “New Horizon” and now to the ambitious plan for a new terminal, BNA is methodically executing a long-term strategy to secure its position as a world-class transportation hub.

Looking ahead, this development will be critical in shaping the economic landscape of Middle Tennessee for generations to come. A larger, more efficient airport will attract new businesses, bolster the tourism industry, and provide greater global connectivity for residents. The second terminal is not merely about adding more gates; it’s about opening new doors of opportunity for Nashville and ensuring that its gateway to the world remains wide open.

FAQ

Question: Is the new second terminal part of the current “New Horizon” construction project?
Answer: No. The “New Horizon” project is a $3 billion plan to expand and upgrade the existing terminal. The second terminal is a completely separate, new project planned for the future.

Question: When is the new terminal expected to open?
Answer: The target opening for the new terminal is projected for 2034 or 2035.

Question: Why does BNA need a second terminal?
Answer: Passenger traffic is projected to reach 35 million people per year by 2034, which is the maximum comfortable capacity of the current terminal even after all “New Horizon” expansions are complete. The new terminal is needed to handle growth beyond that point.

Question: Where will the new terminal be built?
Answer: The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) has selected a 309-acre site located to the south of the current terminal complex.

Sources

• WSMV Nashville