Airports across the United States ramp up expansions and upgrades in 2025 to handle surging passenger traffic and modernize aging infrastructure. Federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law fuels this boom, with projects totaling billions of dollars. Contractors seize opportunities in terminal builds, runway reconstructions, and tech integrations, creating jobs and boosting local economies. Experts predict nearly one billion enplanements this year, driving demand for safer, smarter travel hubs.
Northeast Takes Flight with Modern Terminals
In the Northeast, airports transform outdated facilities into efficient gateways. Pittsburgh International Airport leads with a $1.57 billion modernization. Crews construct a new landside terminal that consolidates operations under one roof, adds a multi-level parking garage, and incorporates nature-inspired designs like tree-shaped columns. The terminal opens in 2025, offering contractors work in structural steel and roadway systems.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York pushes forward with its redevelopment. Builders expand terminals and upgrade amenities, part of a multi-billion-dollar plan. Opportunities arise in bridge construction and ADA access improvements, with work starting in 2025. Nearby, Newark Liberty Airport builds a new entry station and enhances rail access, creating bids for civil engineering firms.
Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York completes its terminal expansion. Teams add gates, improve baggage systems, and enhance passenger flow, generating roles for local subcontractors in HVAC and electrical upgrades.
Southern Airports Expand Capacity
Southern states focus on growth to match booming populations. Tampa International Airport invests $1.5 billion in Airside D, a 16-gate facility for international flights. Construction includes lounges, retail spaces, and a mezzanine, aiming to serve 35 million passengers by 2037. Builders handle concrete pours and mechanical installations, with completion set for 2028.
Nashville International Airport advances its $1.5 billion New Horizons plan. Workers expand concourses A and D, upgrade baggage handling, and overhaul roadways. Phase 2 modernizes gates and transportation links, opening doors for paving and tech contractors through late 2028. In Asheville, North Carolina, the regional airport spends $400 million on a new 12-gate terminal and control tower, funded by state bonds. Projects wrap up in 2026, emphasizing safety with modern navigation aids.
Miami International Airport is renovating Concourses E and F in a $373 million project. Teams improve gates, dining, and baggage systems to streamline operations. Charlotte Douglas adds a $25 million South Ramp expansion within its $4 billion plan, boosting aircraft parking and creating asphalt work opportunities.
Midwest Builds for Efficiency
Midwest airports prioritize runway and terminal overhauls. John Glenn International in Columbus, Ohio, replaces its 1958 terminal with a $2 billion, 1-million-square-foot facility. Builders add seven gates and a parking structure to serve 13 million passengers yearly, with completion targeted for 2029.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International reconstructs the south parallel runways in a $35 million effort. Phases run from April to September 2025, involving new paving and lighting. The airport also plans a $37.5 million Terminal 2 expansion, offering bids in concrete and electrical systems.
Austin-Bergstrom in Texas launches an $80-120 million baggage system upgrade. Designers implement centralized processing for 4,000 bags per hour, using advanced screening tech. Procurement favors design-build teams focused on efficiency.
West Coast Prioritizes Sustainability
On the West Coast, sustainability drives projects. Sacramento International’s $1.3 billion SMForward program builds a pedestrian skybridge, parking garage, and concourse expansions. The 5,500-space garage will be completed in fall 2026, with opportunities in structural engineering and green materials.
San Francisco International starts a $30 million International Terminal refurbishment, part of a $2.6 billion expansion. Upgrades add amenities and improve energy efficiency, attracting contractors skilled in sustainable builds. Southwest Florida International in Fort Myers expands its terminal with new ticketing and baggage areas, emphasizing modern handling systems.
Abundant Opportunities for Contractors
Contractors find plentiful bids in design-build and phased projects. Firms like Hensel Phelps and Turner lead major works, but smaller subcontractors gain from terminal fits, security upgrades, and runway rehabs. Opportunities span sustainability tech, baggage automation, and infrastructure resilience. Early engagement with airport officials secures positions in this $150 billion overhaul wave.
This construction surge enhances travel and stimulates economic growth through thousands of jobs. As airports evolve, the industry soars toward a more connected future.
