Top U.S. Airport Construction Projects in 2025: Building Safer, Smarter, and Stronger Travel Hubs
Why 2025 Is a Landmark Year for Airport Construction
From billion-dollar terminal upgrades to massive runway expansions, 2025 is seeing unprecedented investment in U.S. aviation infrastructure. These projects demand precision engineering, highly skilled construction crews, and rigorous safety protocols while also fueling job growth in local communities.
Major Airport Projects: Completed or Underway in 2025
1. Pittsburgh International Airport – Terminal Modernization
Cost: $1.39–$1.57 billion
Highlights: New 811,000-sq-ft terminal, 3,300-space garage, improved curb-to-gate times, and locally sourced architectural materials.
Status: Nearing completion in fall 2025.
2. John Glenn Columbus International Airport – New Terminal
Cost: $2 billion
Highlights: A 1-million-sq-ft replacement terminal with 7 gates, modern amenities, and upgraded security.
Status: Under construction throughout 2025.
3. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport – Terminal F & Enhancements
Cost: Part of a $12 billion program
Highlights: Record-setting modular construction, Terminal C upgrades, and expanded capacity.
Status: Ongoing in 2025.
4. Nashville International Airport – Concourse D Expansion
Cost: Part of a $3 billion master plan
Highlights: Five new gates, a skyline-view terrace, and BNA’s first moving walkway.
Status: Opened mid-2025.
5. San Antonio International Airport – Terminal C Project
Cost: $1.7 billion
Highlights: Up to 17 gates, expanded retail, and enhanced security lanes.
Status: Federal funding secured; phased build underway.
6. Houston IAH – Terminal B Modernization
Cost: $2.6 billion
Highlights: New check-in areas, baggage claim, and 22 new gates.
Status: Construction active through 2026.
7. Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Terminal Expansion
Cost: $127 million terminal expansion + runway and tower upgrades
Status: Expansion completes in 2025; runway upgrades continue into 2027.
8. Spokane International Airport – TREX Terminal Expansion
Cost: $179 million
Status: Second phase active from 2025–2027.
9. Sacramento International Airport – SMForward Program
Cost: $1.3 billion
Status: Concourse expansions underway; walkway completion in 2026.
Precision, Skill, and Safety in Large-Scale Airport Builds
Airport construction requires specialized construction crews trained to work in high-security, operational airfield environments. Every task, whether erecting steel, installing HVAC systems, or pouring concrete, must meet FAA safety regulations, stringent building codes, and precise scheduling to keep passengers and flights moving.
Key Safety Practices Include:
Restricted airfield access control
Staged construction sequencing to reduce disruption
Redundant fire, power, and communication systems
OSHA-compliant worker safety protocols
Construction Job Opportunities Created by Airport Expansion
These massive projects are an economic engine for local communities, generating thousands of jobs and long-term career opportunities.
Direct Construction Jobs
Electricians, ironworkers, concrete finishers, equipment operators, plumbers, and HVAC techs.
Professional & Technical Roles
Civil engineers, project managers, architects, surveyors, and environmental specialists.
Supply Chain & Support Jobs
Local suppliers of steel, glass, and concrete see boosted demand.
Permanent Airport Roles After Completion
TSA agents, terminal operations staff, retail and dining employees, and maintenance teams.
How Airport Construction Boosts Local Economies
The financial impact goes beyond the job site. Worker wages circulate into restaurants, housing, retail, and small businesses, creating a multiplier effect in the region. For example:
Nashville’s Concourse D expansion supported hundreds of construction jobs over two years.
Dallas–Fort Worth’s Terminal F program is expected to generate thousands of trades and technical roles.
The Future is Bright for Travelers
The U.S. is experiencing a construction boom in airport infrastructure, and 2025 stands as a showcase year for the industry. These projects are reshaping travel while delivering high-skill job opportunities and strengthening local economies—proving that airport construction is about more than just terminals and runways. It’s about building a safer, more connected future.