San Diego, California — A new $2.6 billion terminal has officially opened at San Diego International Airport, delivered by the joint venture of Turner Construction, Flatiron, and Dragados USA. The project elevates the airport’s capacity and modernizes its facilities to serve growing passenger demand.
A Terminal Built for Growth and Resilience
The new terminal expands gate capacity, improves passenger circulation, and adds modern security, concession, and baggage handling systems. It incorporates seismic resilience features and sustainable systems aimed at lowering energy consumption. Beyond aesthetics, the terminal has been engineered to meet evolving operational demands.
The joint venture used a design-build approach, which compressed timelines and improved coordination among contractors, engineers, and airport authorities. The terminal also includes infrastructure ready to support future expansions or technology upgrades, much like the upcoming San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 Phase 1B project, which emphasizes adaptability for long-term growth.
Strategic Positioning & Airport Vision
San Diego International has long grappled with space constraints and capacity limits. This terminal helps address bottlenecks while positioning the airport for continued regional growth. The facility enhances operational flexibility for international and domestic flights.
Airport leaders see this project as a pivotal moment in their master plan. The terminal establishes a new standard for functionality, passenger experience, and adaptability. Critics say balancing expansion with noise and community impact has been challenging, but the airport has prepared mitigation strategies.
Project Factsheet – San Diego New Terminal
Project New Terminal, San Diego International Airport
Contract Value $2.6 billion
Contractors Turner Construction, Flatiron, Dragados USA JV
Delivery Approach Design-build
Key Features Expanded gates, modern booking & baggage systems, retail, lounges
Resilience & Engineering Seismic base isolation, phased expandability, sustainable systems
Job Creation Thousands in construction; hundreds in permanent roles
Sustainability Measures LED, solar, energy recovery, efficiency design
Strategic Role Eases bottlenecks, supports future growth, enhances airport capabilities
Opening / Operational Timeline Completed and opened recently (2025)
Economic & Community Impact
The terminal project created thousands of construction jobs, engaging local contractors, suppliers, and laborers. Beyond immediate construction, ongoing operations, concessions, and maintenance will support hundreds of permanent positions.
In addition, the upgraded terminal can better accommodate tourist inflows and boost San Diego’s economic connectivity. Local businesses, including retail, hospitality, and logistics, should see downstream benefits as airport capacity grows.
Sustainability, Engineering, & Innovation
To meet California’s stringent environmental regulations, the terminal integrates energy efficiency through LED lighting, heat recovery systems, and high-performance building envelopes. Renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, play a role in reducing carbon footprint.
Engineering teams prioritized seismic stability using base isolation and dampers, recognizing San Diego’s exposure to seismic zones. The design also allows for phasing and future expansions without major disruption.
This terminal marks more than a physical expansion. First, it signals the airport’s readiness for a new era of demand and aviation trends. Second, it showcases how large-scale infrastructure projects can integrate resilience, sustainability, and adaptability. Third, by using a joint venture and design-build methods, the project offers lessons in collaboration and workflow efficiency. Finally, its community and economic ripple effects will likely reshape how San Diegans move, connect, and experience air travel.
