Nashville International Airport (BNA) is set to begin an 18-month renovation of its Central Core terminal to prepare for projected increases in passenger numbers over the next decade.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) expects the airport to handle up to 40 million travellers annually by 2036, up from the 30 million forecast in 2016.
To help meet this demand, the Central Core Enhancement is a 40 million USD project aimed at expanding terminal entrance areas and improving passenger flow.
Key changes that will be implemented as part of the project include:
- Increasing the number of escalators from six to sixteen to connect ground transportation, baggage claim, ticketing, and the BNA Plaza more efficiently.
- Adding a third elevator and upgrading the two existing elevators with larger, faster models, effectively doubling overall capacity.
- Building additional capacity and flexibility to maintain terminal operations during peak periods.
Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA said:Nashville’s explosive growth continues to outpace ambitious projections, and the MNAA is meeting that challenge with innovative, forward-looking strategies that prioritise the traveller at every step.
These enhancements aren’t just about managing higher volumes; they represent our commitment to long-term flexibility, traveller safety and an uninterrupted flow through the terminal. Our priorities are, and always will be, to ensure that ease of access and exceptional experiences remain the hallmarks of Nashville International Airport.
The renovation is scheduled to start on 1 June 2026 and is expected to conclude in December 2027. It has an estimated cost of 40 million USD, funded through bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC), and airport funds. No local tax revenue will be used.
The architect is Fentress Studios, a Populous Company, while Hensel Phelps has been appointed as the construction partner.
