Shaping Airport Infrastructure for What’s Next

Andrés Chacón has spent nearly two decades shaping aviation environments that respond to both short-term needs and long-term trends. His experience spans major domestic and international airports, where he has guided projects that expand capacity, elevate passenger experience and integrate multimodal systems — all while keeping operations moving. From Tampa International Airport’s Express Curbsides to the airport’s upcoming Airside D terminal, Chacón’s approach blends foresight with flexibility, ensuring airports can adapt as passenger expectations evolve. His perspective: airports are dynamic environments, and the best projects anticipate what’s next while delivering for today.

With passenger volumes on the rise and forecasts predicting decades of sustained growth, how are airports expanding capacity today in ways that ensure they remain efficient, resilient and competitive?

Planning for growth starts with designing solutions that can evolve. When passenger volumes rise and travel patterns shift, airports need infrastructure that works today and adapts for tomorrow. That’s why every design decision should be rooted in long-term, holistic thinking. At Tampa International Airport (TPA), HNTB partnered with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority on a 2012 master plan that forecasted passenger volumes nearly doubling by 2034. The plan outlined three phases: decongestion, enabling and expansion — each aimed to achieve the best passenger experience while preparing for growth and the integration of technologies.

One outcome of that plan was TPA’s Express Curbsides. These facilities doubled curbside capacity and introduced a new concept: dedicated spaces for travelers with carry-on bags and also for those checking luggage, creating a tailored experience for each.

Roughly half of TPA’s passengers travel without checked bags. By creating dedicated express lanes and vertical circulation cores — elevator and escalator systems that help move travelers directly from curbside to airside — the design streamlines movement. These features don’t just reduce roadway backups; they also eliminate pedestrian crossings, improving safety and efficiency. By bypassing ticketing and baggage claim, the system also enhances curbside capacity and provides an efficient process for all passengers.

The design of the Express Curbsides also positions the airport for future changes, like autonomous vehicle drop-offs. This kind of flexibility ensures that improvements made today remain relevant for decades.

How can airport spaces meet evolving passenger expectations while ensuring a seamless experience from curb to gate?

Airports are complex environments, and when travelers feel lost, stress rises. Our goal is to make navigation intuitive while creating spaces that feel welcoming and easy to understand.

For the Express Curbsides at TPA, we approached this on two levels. First, functional wayfinding through clear signage, door numbering and logical circulation paths that improve navigation. Second, color-coded vertical circulation cores, natural light and open sightlines guide movement without passengers needing to think about it.

Art installations also played a critical role in orientation. Large-scale feature walls and sculptural elements were placed at key decision points — such as monumental stair landings and transfer levels — to encourage travelers to naturally gravitate toward them. For example, the Red Express building includes a striking wall pattern inspired by Tampa Bay’s mangroves and a marble starfish installation at the transfer level. These pieces aren’t just decorative; they act as visual anchors, intended to help passengers confirm they’re on the right path while creating moments of calm in a busy environment.