March 6, 2026
When travelers pass through Tampa International Airport (TPA), their first impressions often come from the design of the spaces that greet them—spaces that must balance safety, efficiency, and a sense of welcome. That vision guided the recent expansion and modernization of TPA’s Airsides A and E.
The Challenge: Outgrowing Spaces Built for a Different Era
Airside A opened in 1995, followed by Airside E in 2002. Both were designed in the pre-9/11 era, before the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reshaped security requirements for airports nationwide.
Almost immediately after their debut, these facilities had to adapt to additional screening equipment, personnel and procedures without the benefit of additional space. Over time, TPA’s steady growth and surging passenger traffic compounded the strain, creating cramped, congested checkpoints.
Flooring was also a concern. The airport needed surfaces that could withstand the demands of one of the nation’s busiest hubs while complementing existing design traditions. Carpets had to resist crushing, matting, staining and soiling, avoiding the worn traffic lanes that can quickly age a facility. To maintain a cohesive brand identity and a welcoming environment, the flooring solution had to deliver both resilience and long-lasting visual appeal.
Tampa Airport
The Solution: Right-Sizing for the Future
Construction began in September 2023 with Suffolk overseeing the build and AECOM leading design. Crews completed the renovations while keeping the airsides fully operational — and through two major hurricanes in 2024 (Category 4 Helene and Category 3 Milton). Both projects were delivered on time and within budget, with Airside E reopening in March 2025 and Airside A following in April 2025, just in time for peak travel season.
Each airside gained approximately 20,000 square feet of new space, enabling larger queuing and screening areas. TSA capacity expanded from six to seven lanes at both locations, incorporating a mix of advanced 2D and 3D screening equipment.
Equally important were the design details. To enhance comfort and efficiency, the airport selected Bloomsburg Carpet, woven with solution-dyed Zeftron nylon, in a custom Wilton weave. The flooring delivers premium color quality, superior durability and resistance to wear patterns. Because Zeftron nylon maintains its appearance after vigorous cleanings, the carpets will preserve their fresh, modern look for years.
The Results: A Safer, Smoother, More Welcoming Journey
The expanded checkpoints are already providing measurable improvements in passenger flow and satisfaction. Larger spaces allow for more efficient queuing, while modern screening technology enhances throughput without compromising safety.
The finishes also elevate the traveler experience. Flooring is one of TPA’s design signatures: each of the airport’s four airsides and the Main Terminal feature custom-woven carpet. Continuing this tradition, the new Bloomsburg carpets ensure consistency across terminals, reinforcing TPA’s brand identity and welcoming passengers into brighter, cleaner, more inviting spaces.
Bloomsburg’s craftsmanship and Zeftron’s fiber technology will ensure that the carpets look as good as the day they were installed, resisting crushing, matting, staining and soiling, even under millions of passenger footsteps each year.
This project builds on a proven partnership. In November 2024, TPA completed its baggage claim renovation, also incorporating Bloomsburg carpets made with Zeftron nylon. Maintaining this consistency across projects creates a cohesive traveler journey from curb to gate.
For Tampa International Airport, the new carpets unify the look of all terminals while projecting a polished, enduring image. For Bloomsburg Carpet Industries and Zeftron, the project underscores their role as trusted partners in delivering high-performance flooring solutions for environments where durability, style and first impressions matter most.