$1.1 Billion Expansion Underway at Southwest Florida International Airport
Construction has officially begun on a major expansion at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, where officials recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Concourse E.
The $1.1 billion project will add 14 new gates and house United, American, and Frontier Airlines. The concourse will also feature a mix of national and local retail and dining options, according to a recent article by Elizabeth King of Business Observer.
Spanning three levels and covering 513,000 square feet, Concourse E will include a nine-lane TSA security checkpoint, a new baggage handling system, an updated baggage claim area, and a business lounge. Once past security, travelers will have direct access to Concourses B, C, and D. The new concourse is expected to serve 10,000 to 15,000 passengers daily.
Designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing terminal, the expansion will incorporate an aerodynamic roofline inspired by an aircraft wing. Inside, passengers will experience a Southwest Florida-inspired ambiance, with a ceiling designed to mimic Gulf Coast waves for both aesthetics and improved acoustics. The flooring will feature blue and tan terrazzo, symbolizing the region’s shoreline, and the baggage claim area will showcase nautical map-inspired architectural details, floating ceilings, and enhanced LED lighting. The concourse will also include extensive seating, tropical landscaping, and thermal-insulated glass walls, with some sections featuring dynamic glass to minimize glare.
To enhance accessibility, the terminal curb will be upgraded, and a new crosswalk will connect to the short-term parking garage. The existing parking structure will also gain two additional levels to increase capacity.
Site preparation for the concourse began in October, with completion projected for late 2027 or early 2028. Suffolk Construction is leading the project, which is expected to generate approximately 1,000 jobs.
Funding for the expansion comes from a combination of grants from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, along with general airport revenue bonds and passenger facility charges. No property taxes are being used to finance the project.
In 2024, RSW served over 11 million passengers, ranking it among the top 50 airports in the U.S. for traffic volume. With passenger numbers rising by nearly 9.52% from the previous year, officials anticipate continued growth, making this expansion crucial to accommodate increasing demand.
This article originally appeared on Business Observer.