Tampa International Airport is studying an “air mobility facility” connected to SkyConnect that could eventually link the airport with downtown Tampa and other regional destinations through rail, automated people movers and electric air taxis.
Airport Chief Executive Michael Stephens said Thursday the facility could connect passengers to rail service, buses, automated people movers and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as EVTOLs, as Tampa International prepares for passenger traffic to increase sharply over the next decade.
“We have thought about the notion of creating an air mobility facility,” Stephens said during a presentation to Tampa City Council. “It will have EVTOL, which is going to be coming to us pretty soon.”
Stephens showed concept images of travelers leaving SkyConnect and entering a transit hub with rail connections, bus access and EVTOL aircraft flying above highway traffic into downtown Tampa and other destinations.
“This is a vision of an EVTOL standing above the traffic, taking you from the airport to points beyond,” Stephens said.
Tampa International previously discussed potential air-taxi routes across Tampa Bay, including connections to St. Petersburg and Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands. Thursday’s presentation showed how airport officials envision integrating the aircraft into a broader regional transportation system tied directly to airport infrastructure.
The airport’s transit plans surfaced again later Thursday during public comment on the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed stadium agreement, when Westshore Alliance Executive Director Michael Marino pointed to Stephens’ earlier presentation and said the proposed stadium district could become part of the broader transit network developing around Tampa International and Westshore.
Marino said a proposed SkyLink transit hub near the former DoubleTree hotel site could eventually connect to downtown Tampa, St. Petersburg and the proposed Rays development.
“It’s now not just a stadium site,” Marino said. “This is a regional economic catalyst.”
Stephens discussed the transit vision as Tampa International continues work on Airside D, a 600,000-square-foot international terminal expected to open in 2029.
Stephens said annual passenger traffic could grow from about 26 million travelers this year to roughly 36 million within the next decade. He said the $1.5 billion expansion will be funded primarily through airport revenues and bonds rather than property taxes.
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