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BNA® is scaling its world-class facilities to accommodate 40 million annual travelers

Nashville, Tenn. (March 31, 2026) – With Nashville’s growth exceeding expectations, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) is accelerating terminal expansion at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) as it prepares for a projected 40 million annual travelers in the next decade, a significant increase over 2016 forecasts that projected 30 million travelers.

To meet this demand, BNA is launching the “Central Core Enhancement” – a $40 million renovation to expand the current Central Core terminal entrance areas and ensure a world-class experience for millions of additional visitors.

To maintain fluid, efficient travel for all passengers, the Central Core Enhancement will:

• Increase the number of escalators from 6 to 16 to create seamless movement between ground transportation, baggage claim, ticketing and the BNA Plaza.
• Double elevator capacity by adding an elevator and replacing the two existing elevators with upgraded, bigger and faster machinery to improve efficiency, comfort and accessibility for all travelers.
• Build greater capacity and long-term flexibility to ensure the airport operates at peak performance even during the busiest travel seasons.

“Nashville’s explosive growth continues to outpace ambitious projections, and the MNAA is meeting that challenge with innovative, forward-looking strategies that prioritize the traveler at every step,” said Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA. “These enhancements aren’t just about managing higher volumes; they represent our commitment to long-term flexibility, traveler 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 Central Core Enhancement will begin June 1, 2026, with a forecasted completion date of December 2027.

Easing the Impact on Travelers

As the project begins, BNA is implementing a comprehensive communications plan to ensure passengers are updated about progress that may impact their airport experience, which includes:

• Providing additional staff dedicated to guiding travelers through areas that are near the renovation and construction zones (Central Core and parking areas).
• Implementing and regularly updating enhanced signage and wayfinding tools to aid both arriving and departing travelers.
• Engaging content on social media (@flynashville) and website (flynashville.com) with project updates, tips and tricks to navigate construction areas, traveler-perspective videos, and other news of interest.
• Encouraging travelers to “arrive and enjoy.” Arrive in plenty of time to experience the local flavors, live music, art galleries and spirited shops that make BNA uniquely Nashville. BNA continues to recommend arrival two hours before departure.

“We encourage everyone to give themselves a little extra time to explore our award-winning concessions, shopping and live music stages before they fly,” continued Kreulen. “The way you enter BNA may look different over the next 18 months, but the iconic Nashville experience inside remains unchanged.”

In just 10 years, BNA’s passenger volume has more than doubled, fueling its evolution from a regional hub into a premier global gateway and economic engine for Middle Tennessee. The Central Core Enhancement is an important element of the airport’s proactive strategy to outpace this growth by streamlining terminal access and easing congestion. By investing in Nashville’s future today, BNA is securing its status as a world-class gateway that is purpose-built for the future.

Central Core Enhancement: Project Details at a Glance

• Project Dates: June 1, 2026, to December 2027
• Impact: By December 2027, BNA will be able to accommodate the 40 million annual travelers – 3.8 million during a peak month – projected to visit in the next decade (the 2016 forecast projected 30 million travelers)
• The project will increase the existing escalators from 6 to 16:
  • Current: One escalator up and one down per floor
  • Enhancement: Two up and two down per floor, addition of a landing on Level 4
• Increase existing elevators from two to three, upgrading the machinery to be bigger and faster and doubling overall elevator capacity
• Cost: $40 million - part of BNA’s $3.0 billion New Horizon expansion campaign
  • Consistent with all airport capital improvement projects, funding comes from bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) and other airport funds. BNA receives no local tax dollars
• Addition of wayfinding tools, signage, communication mechanisms and additional staff to guide and update travelers
• “The Unscalable Rampart of Time,” the art installation in the Central Core atrium by artist Jacob Hashimoto, will be removed and stored during construction. Working with the artist, it will be adapted to fit the new space and reinstalled when the project is complete.
• The Central Core Enhancement will not impact hotel, parking garage or other ground transportation access or availability.
• Architect: Fentress Studios, a Populous Company
• Construction Partner: Hensel Phelps

A newly released economic impact study highlights the growing contributions of the Tennessee Association of Air Carrier Airports (TAACA), reinforcing the critical role Tennessee’s commercial airports play in supporting jobs, tourism, and federal, state, and local tax revenues statewide.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (Feb. 20, 2026) — The Tennessee Association of Air Carrier Airports (TAACA), representing the state’s five primary commercial service airports in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities, today released the findings of its 2025 Economic Impact Study – based on calendar 2024. The study affirms the aviation industry’s significant and expanding role as a driver of economic growth across Tennessee.

The 2025 Economic Impact Study was conducted by InterVISTAS Consulting, an internationally recognized aviation and transportation consulting firm with a proven record of delivering comprehensive economic impact analyses, air service development initiatives, strategic and business plans, market assessments, and economic recovery strategies for airports, transportation systems, tourism organizations, business associations, and government clients.

The study evaluated the economic contributions generated by aviation activity at Tennessee’s commercial airports, including job creation, personal income, business revenue, and tax generation. The findings demonstrate the far-reaching economic value of commercial aviation to communities across the state, supporting thousands of jobs, enabling tourism and commerce, and generating substantial federal, state, and local tax revenues.

Tennessee’s Five Primary Commercial Service Airports impact is as follows:

• $28.3 billion in total economic impact for Tennessee.
• Over 171,000 Tennessee jobs are facilitated by airport activity.
• Contributes to $4.1 billion in total taxes which includes $2.5 billion in federal, $1.08 billion in state and $548 million in local taxes.
• This represents an $8.8 billion, 45%, increase in economic impact since the State of Tennessee sponsored CY19 study.

Key findings from Nashville International Airport®, also known as BNA®, include:

Nashville International Airport® (BNA®)

• $13.8 billion in total economic impact for Tennessee.
• 80,000 Tennessee jobs are facilitated by airport activity.
• Contributes to $2.1 billion in total taxes which includes $1.13 billion in federal, $631 million in state and $339 million in local taxes.

“The 2025 Economic Impact Study underscores the importance of long-term planning and investment. The data reflects what Middle Tennessee sees every day, BNA is far more than a gateway; it is a powerful economic engine for our community,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which owns and manages BNA. “As the region continues to grow, we remain committed to providing world-class facilities, expanding capacity and ensuring BNA is prepared to meet rising demand and support Middle Tennessee’s future.”

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 InterVISTAS 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. Learn more at BNANewHorizon.com and flynashville.com, and stay connected by following BNA on social media: Facebook (@NashvilleInternationalAirport), X (@Fly_Nashville), Instagram (@FlyNashville), YouTube (@NashvilleInternationalAirport) and LinkedIn (in/MNAA).

The Boring Company’s innovative, all-electric transit “Music City Loop” to connect BNA® to key points, support continued passenger growth; No cost to Authority or taxpayers

Nashville, Tenn. (Feb. 18, 2026) – The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) has signed a letter of intent with The Boring Company (TBC) to facilitate development of  “The Music City Loop”—a zero-emission, high-speed underground transit system that will make travel to and from Nashville International Airport®, also known as BNA®, fast and efficient for passengers and help accommodate the airport’s record growth.

The innovative all-electric transit system will feature a fleet of TBC owned and operated vehicles that connect BNA passengers to key transit points while alleviating surface-level roadway congestion and providing a comfortable and simple option for travelers to and from the airport. The system will meet or exceed the stringent National Fire Protection Association fire and life safety standards.

“Our growth at BNA continues to outpace all projections, and ease of access to the airport is crucial for every passenger we serve,” said Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA. “The Airport Authority’s focus is on bringing innovation, technology and enhanced service to ensure we stay ahead of regional growth. This new service gives our passengers another excellent option for reaching BNA in a timely manner. We are delighted to make way for the Music City Loop with The Boring Company.”

Low-Risk, High-Yield Infrastructure Strategy

Under the terms of the recommended agreement, MNAA secures a long-term financial benefit without the capital risk typically associated with major infrastructure expansions. Key fiscal highlights include:

• Zero Capital Investment: All costs related to design, construction, operations and maintenance are fully funded by The Boring Company.

• Significant Revenue Generation: The 50-year agreement is projected to generate approximately $34 million in license fee revenue and a conservatively estimated $309 million in pick-up and drop-off fees.

• Expense Reimbursement: TBC will reimburse the Authority for incurred legal, engineering and administrative costs related to the project.

• Furthers MNAA’s Sustainability Commitment: The ‘Music City Loop’ is an all-electric, zero-emissions, high-speed underground transit system.

Innovating, Scaling for the Future

As BNA prepares for a projected increase to 40 million annual passengers at Terminal I—and looks toward a future Terminal II supporting 70 million passengers—the subsurface system serves as a relief valve for airport roadways, providing efficient transit options between Downtown Nashville and the airport while removing millions of vehicles per year from roadways. The project integrates into BNA’s long-term master plan without adding operational expenses.

"At BNA, we were the first airport to embrace ride-share, and we see this tunnel system as a further step in transit innovation for our passengers and the broader Middle Tennessee community,” continued Kreulen. “This partnership reflects thoughtful planning, collaboration and our commitment to fiscal responsibility. By diversifying our transportation options to and from the airport and securing new revenue streams needed to fund future MNAA debt without burdening taxpayers, our goal is to ensure BNA remains competitive, accessible and financially strong for decades to come.”