The $3bn New Horizon expansion plan at BNA International Airport has been underway since 2022, with the latest milestone now progressing: the Central Core Enhancement Project. Nashville International Airport (BNA) launched the broader “New Horizon” program four years ago to prepare the airport for future growth, and this 18-month central core phase is expected to continue through December 2027.
The project focuses on the airport’s central terminal hub, which connects baggage claim, ticketing, parking garages and security checkpoints. “Nashville continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, ranking among the fastest growing cities in the nation,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
Airport officials noted BNA originally planned to accommodate 30 million annual passengers, based on the BNA Vision project launched years ago. However, passenger volume has continued to climb rapidly, leading officials to increase future capacity goals to 40 million travelers per year. BNA is not the only international airport in the US looking towards expanding its facilities. The Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) Airport is also making headway on its second terminal as fresh details on its expansion project unravel. That package is designed to accommodate 56 million annual passengers once complete.
Scope of Implementation on the BNA International Airport Expansion
The Central Core Enhancement Project is the latest phase of BNA’s long-running New Horizon program, designed to meet future demand. “To meet future demand and remain aligned with the latest passenger projections, we are embarking on an 18-month Central Core Enhancement,” Kreulen said. The existing central core area, which currently includes six escalators and two elevators, closed Sunday night ahead of construction.
Once completed, the project will expand the terminal from six escalators to 16 while also adding a third elevator with increased speed and capacity. According to Erin B. Thomas, Media Relations Manager at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, the Central Core Enhancement represents $40 million of the New Horizon program’s overall $3 billion investment. “This project will enlarge the vertical circulation core in the Grand Lobby, significantly increasing the number of escalators and doubling the elevator capacity to assure that we deliver efficient passenger movement, comfort and accessibility,” Kreulen explained.
Travelers should expect temporary changes to how they move through the terminal during the construction period. Access from terminal garages will now route through Level 1, while the pedestrian bridge on Plaza Level 5 is temporarily closed. The International Arrivals Facility exit will temporarily move to the south end of Level 1 near the information desk, with arrows directing passengers to the new exit and waiting area. Additional staff members will also be stationed throughout impacted areas to help people navigate the changes.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Central Core Enhancement
- Location: Nashville International Airport (BNA), Tennessee, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: $40 million (part of the broader $3 billion New Horizon program, according to Erin B. Thomas, Media Relations Manager, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority)
- Project Type: Airport terminal expansion and central hub modernization
Timeline
- Project commencement: 2026
- Construction duration: Ongoing (approx. 18-month central core phase)
- Expected completion: December 2027
- Based on long-term BNA Vision capacity planning updates
Site & Scale
- Central terminal hub upgrade covering baggage, ticketing, parking, and security zones
- Expansion of escalator system from 6 to 16 units
- Addition of a third high-capacity elevator system
- Designed to support up to 40 million annual passengers (future demand target)
Key Contractors/Stakeholders
- Developer/Operator: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
- Airport CEO: Doug Kreulen
- Project authority: Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Stakeholders: Airport passengers, airlines, transport service providers
Infrastructure Scope
- Central Core Enhancement Project within main terminal hub
- Upgraded vertical circulation systems (escalators and elevators)
- Temporary rerouting of passenger movement during construction
- Improved connectivity between baggage claim, ticketing, garages, and security
- Enhanced international arrivals exit and passenger flow management systems
Strategic Objectives
- Increase passenger handling capacity to meet city growth
- Improve terminal efficiency, accessibility, and congestion management
- Align airport infrastructure with projected 40 million annual travelers
- Support Nashville’s long-term aviation and economic expansion
Current Status
- Construction officially underway
- Central core area temporarily closed for works
- Passenger flow adjustments in effect
- Project progressing toward December 2027 completion target
About Nashville International Airport® (BNA®)
Nashville International Airport®, also known as BNA®, is one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation and a vital infrastructure asset for Middle Tennessee. As the gateway to Music City and beyond, BNA plays a pivotal role in supporting economic growth and community prosperity. The State of Tennessee’s 2025 Economic Impact Study reports that in 2024 alone, BNA generated $13.8 billion in total economic impact, supported 80,000 jobs and contributed to $2.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. The airport receives no local tax dollars. To keep pace with Nashville’s rapid expansion and evolving passenger needs, BNA is undergoing a major transformation through its New Horizon expansion program.
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