Nashville Airport Completes Concourse D Extension, Eyes Concourse A Rebuild

Nashville International Airport (BNA) has completed the extension of its passenger terminal’s Concourse D, the first major project in the Tennessee airport’s $3 billion modernization program.

The extension, which will be operational on July 8, adds five gates to Concourse D, bringing to 11 the total number of gates on the concourse. The airport’s lone passenger terminal will have 60 gates spread across five concourses when the extended Concourse D opens.

The extension adds 160,000 ft.² to BNA’s terminal, including 22,000 ft.² of new concessions space. It also includes a 165-ft. moving walkway.

BNA will now turn its attention to the reconstruction of Concourse A, which will involve the demolition of the six-gate concourse and reconstructing it with 16 gates. The Concourse A rebuild is slated to be completed in July 2028.

The airport’s “New Horizon” modernization program also includes expanding BNA’s central ramp (slated for a September 2027 finish), upgrading the baggage handling system (targeted for completion in 2028) and terminal access roadway improvements (set for a 2029 completion). The airport is additionally expanding employee parking and upgrading its rental car facility.

“The completion of the Concourse D extension—on-time and under-budget—not only marks a major milestone for the New Horizon program, but it also gives us the space and resources needed to turn our attention to upcoming projects, such as the demolition and reconstruction of Concourse A, the creation of a central ramp and improved terminal roadways,” BNA CEO Doug Kreulen said. “The New Horizon projects are essential to enabling BNA’s ability to support 40 million annual passengers in the future.”

The airport currently handles around 12 million annual passengers. Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at BNA, with more than 50% passenger market share.

To reach a capacity of 40 million annual passengers, BNA plans to build a second passenger terminal. That project is not part of the New Horizon program and is still in the preliminary planning phase. “A site has been selected for the second terminal, which will be a phased program over the next several decades,” according to the airport’s website.

The aim is for the second terminal to house 70 gates, which would bring the total number of gates to 140. The Concourse D extension and Concourse A rebuild will add a combined 15 gates to the airport, bringing the current terminal’s total to 70 gates.