Atkins selected for design work as Tampa International Airport expands

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) in Florida, US, has appointed Atkins as designers on the expansion programme of its Tampa International Airport. The work includes the expansion of the main terminal transfer level and improvements to its concessions.

According to Atkins’ national market leader for aviation architecture, Darryl K. McDonald: “Atkins will be providing part of the schematic design effort for expanding the main terminal transfer level and redeveloping concessions at all landside and airside facilities. We will also be working on designs to relocate the automated people mover (APM) shuttle lobby, create way-finding signage, and make a variety of terminal refurbishments and seating improvements.”

Atkins is also tasked with developing the design for a new, centralized concessions distribution warehouse.

The work is all part of the 3,300-acre airport’s updated, 20-year masterplan. Atkins’ efforts—due for completion in 2014—are expected to help provide a number of benefits, including:

• Adding new concessions and improving concessions distribution, which will provide added shopping convenience for travelers and improve the airport’s revenue stream
• Relocating the APM stations in the main terminal transfer level, which will help expand the area in which travelers can interact with one another
• Improving the overall aesthetics and functional layout of the landside terminal transfer area, which will provide a more satisfying airport experience for travelers and airport visitors.

Tampa International Airport CEO, Joe Lopano, said: “The beauty of this masterplan is that it takes a measured approach to capital investment so we can expand incrementally as passenger demand dictates. It also takes advantage of the airport’s ground‐breaking original design, which offers plug‐and‐play expansion by building a new airside attached to the main terminal.”