Tampa International Airport, United States of America

Tampa International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US. It is located 11km west of the city of Tampa in Florida, US. The airport is spread over 3,300 acres. Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) operates the airport on behalf of the County Government.

The Tampa International Airport handled 16.64 million passengers in 2010. It recorded 279,183 aircraft operations in 2008. It also handled 181.7 million pounds of cargo in 2010.

The main passenger terminal of the airport is being modernised to give the airport a new look.

Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) were awarded the interior design contract for the Main Terminal Modernisation in July 2011. Hardin Construction Company was awarded a design-build contract for the modernisation project in August 2011.

The modernisation project includes improving the interior design of the main passenger terminal, improving 16 restrooms across three levels of the terminal, upgrading the flooring in two levels and renovating the aviation authority business offices and meeting spaces at the terminal. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2013. It is estimated to cost $30m.

Expansion projects at Tampa

A new 112,200ft2 cargo facility and ground support equipment (GSE) were added to the airport in 2010. The construction contract for these works was awarded to Hardin Construction Company. Osborn Architects and Engineers were the architects for the project.

LA Design provided the landscape design. RW Armstrong provided design and construction administration services. The construction was initiated in January 2009 and completed in March 2010. The cost of the project was $17m.

Terminal features at the Florida airport

The airport has four passenger terminals and two cargo terminals. The existing passenger terminal complex (landside terminal) was opened in April 1971.

The passenger facilities at the terminals include 60 check-in desks, 60 gates, five aircraft stands and 20 baggage claim belts. Other facilities include a bank, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, a VIP lounge, duty free shop, gift shop, a business centre, car rental offices, and disabled access / facilities. A 296-room hotel Marriott hotel is close to the landside terminal.

Baggage handling systems at Tampa International Airport

In August 2002, Skanska was awarded a $124m contract to design and build in-line baggage screening system at the airport. The project included integrating the multi-user in-line baggage handling system with 21 explosive detection systems (EDS) machines. It was completed in 18 months.

In August 2011, the US Transportation Security Administration installed new imaging technology in the screening area of the airport. The new technology detects both metallic and non-metallic threats.

ATC (air traffic control)

The FAA air traffic control (ATC) tower at the airport became operational in July 1972. The ATC tower is 69m (227ft) high and is located on the roof top of the Marriott airport hotel. The ATC building features sound-proof rooms and triple-paned windows.

The airport has three runways. The first runway (10/28) is 2,134m long and the second runway (19L/1R) is 2,530m long. Both the runways are paved with asphalt and concrete. The third runway (19R/1L) is 3,353m long and is concrete paved.

The airport has four active airside terminals, which are designated A, C, E and F. Airside A was opened in March 1995, and includes gates 1-12 and 14-18 and space for airline lounge.

Airside C was first opened in 1971, later demolished and then rebuilt in 2005. It was designed by architect Alberto Alfonso and includes gates 30-45. Airside E was opened in October 2002.

It includes gates 62-75 and one airline lounge. Airside F was opened in November 1987 and includes gates 76-90, two airline lounges and a custom immigration centre.

Ground transportation facilities and services at the HCAA operated airport

The airport has a number of ground transportation facilities available. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit provides bus services at the airport. Yellow Cab and United Cab are the two taxi companies which provide taxi services at the airport.

The airport also has limo service. Eight car rental companies have their offices near the red baggage claim area at the airport.

The airport has more than 22,000 parking spaces available. It includes 3,612 short-term, 7,635 long-term, 10,545 economy, and 150 valet parking spaces. The short-term parking space is located at Levels 4-9 of the landside terminal.