(TAMPA) Tampa International Airport marked a major milestone at 12:01 a.m. on August 12, 2025, opening its new Red Express Lanes on the north side of the Main Terminal. The project adds a new 65,000‑square‑foot structure with four arrival lanes and four departure lanes, doubling curbside capacity on the Red Side. Airport leaders say the Red Express Lanes mirror the Blue Express Curbsides that debuted in 2021 and will cut curb traffic and save time for eligible passengers. The opening completes Phase Two of TPA’s long‑term master plan and sets up the terminal for future growth.
What the Red Express Lanes do and who they serve
The Red Express Lanes serve travelers who have an electronic boarding pass and are not checking bags. These passengers can go straight from curb to security when departing and from curb to exit when arriving, skipping ticketing and baggage claim.
Drivers drop off or pick up passengers at a level built for quick, no‑frills stops. Airport officials expect this to ease backups at the traditional curbs and keep cars from stacking up at peak hours.
The Red Express Lanes change where eligible passengers enter and exit the terminal, not the checks they must meet to fly.
Key facts and opening details
- Opened to the public at 12:01 a.m., August 12, 2025
- Located on the north side of the Main Terminal, serving the Red Side
- Designed for passengers with carry‑on only who show an electronic boarding pass
- Allow travelers to bypass ticketing on departure and bypass baggage claim on arrival
- Project cost: $109 million, funded to expand curb space and prepare for future growth
How the system builds on the Blue Side model
TPA says the Red Express Lanes copy the model that has worked well on the Blue Side. As of June 2025, the Blue Express Curbsides served about 46.5% of travelers flying on Blue Side airlines. That adoption rate gave airport leaders confidence the Red Side could shift a large share of cars and riders to the express system.
Michael Stephens, TPA’s CEO, said the new lanes will improve flow and help the terminal handle more people without long waits or confusing detours.
Ribbon cutting and connection to future expansion
The opening followed a ribbon‑cutting on August 11, 2025, where airport officials and community partners marked the finish of Phase Two in TPA’s master plan. While the day celebrated traffic relief, it also signaled what is coming next.
The Main Terminal is now ready to connect to Airside D, a new concourse under construction that will reshape how many flights the airport can host and how fast people can get from curb to gate.
Airside D: the next big project
- Broke ground: December 2024
- Project cost: $1.5 billion
- Expected capacity increase: 40%
- Features planned:
- 16 new gates
- New lounges
- A fresh shuttle link
- More shops and dining
- Target completion: 2028
The Red Express Lanes were designed with this future link in mind, so today’s curb work aligns with tomorrow’s gate growth.
Traveler benefits and user experience
For drivers, the benefit is simple: more space means less time circling and fewer last‑minute lane changes. For families with carry‑on bags, the payoff is direct: a parent can pull into the Red Express drop‑off, scan a child’s digital boarding pass at the checkpoint, and head to the gate without stopping at counters.
On arrival, a traveler without checked baggage can walk from plane to curb in minutes. During school holidays and game days, when curb areas often clog, moving a share of cars to the express levels can keep traffic flowing across the whole terminal loop.
The Red Express Lanes also add design touches meant to make travel feel calmer. New permanent art, including “Cloud Ascent” by Jason Bruges, rises across the space and gives drivers and walkers a clear sense of direction and place. Simple sight lines and clear signs help reduce stress, while the separate express levels cut the cross‑traffic that often slows families with strollers or seniors with wheelchairs.
Security and federal checks
Security and federal checks remain the same:
- All passengers must meet TSA rules.
- All international arrivals must clear federal inspection before exiting.
For security guidance, travelers can review Transportation Security Administration rules on screening and IDs at the official site: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening.
Eligibility: How to know if you can use the Red Express Lanes
You can use the Red Express Lanes if all of the following apply:
- You have an electronic boarding pass ready on your phone or device.
- You are not checking any bags and can carry all items through security.
- You are flying on a Red Side airline and will depart or arrive through that side’s facilities.
If you need to check a bag or prefer to visit a ticket counter, the traditional curbs and ticketing halls remain open.
Operational design and expected traffic impacts
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, airports that separate carry‑on‑only passengers from those checking bags can cut curb dwell times and reduce choke points at doors and escalators.
The Blue Express Curbsides data supports that view: when almost half of Blue Side travelers used the express system by June 2025, queues at the standard curbs eased and drivers saw more steady movement. The Red Express Lanes mirror that setup:
- Four arrival lanes dedicated to arrivals
- Four departure lanes dedicated to departures
- Direct links to the main circulation roads
Doubling Red Side curb capacity with a single build gives TPA a scalable tool as demand rises.
Why timing matters for Tampa Bay
Stakeholders say timing matters because Tampa Bay’s growth has pushed air travel numbers up and new routes have added more domestic and international options. The Red Express Lanes act as a pressure valve now and a bridge to tomorrow’s gates.
When Airside D opens, the airport expects more long‑haul and cross‑border service; these lanes will help absorb the extra drop‑offs, pick‑ups, and ride‑hail traffic without gridlock.
Practical tips for travelers
- Save your electronic boarding pass to your phone wallet before heading to the airport.
- If you might check a bag, choose the standard curbs to access airline counters.
- For pick‑ups, confirm if your traveler has checked bags. If not, meet at the Red Express arrivals level for a faster exit.
- Follow posted signs for Red Express Lanes on approach roads to avoid last‑second lane changes.
Final status and outlook
As of today, the Red Express Lanes are fully operational, the $109 million build is complete, and Phase Two of the master plan is in the books. The airport now turns its attention to Airside D, due in 2028, which promises more gates, more choices, and a larger role for Tampa in the national air network.
For now, drivers and travelers will judge the new lanes by a simple measure: how fast they can get to the gate or get home. Early signs, based on the Blue Side model, point to shorter curb waits and a smoother ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Tampa’s Red Express Lanes opened August 12, 2025, adding a 65,000‑square‑foot curb with eight express lanes. Designed for electronic boarding pass holders traveling carry‑on only, the $109 million project doubles Red Side capacity, reduces curb congestion, and prepares the Main Terminal to connect efficiently to future Airside D expansion in 2028.
