The Tennessean
Hadley Hitson
03 November 2025
The airport is on track to approach maximum capacity in the existing terminal by 2036, exceeding 38 million annual passengers and nearing the 40 million limit, according to data from the Metro Nashville Airport Authority. When that time comes, BNA will need to be ready with a brand new twin terminal in order to keep up with growth and continue attracting more airlines and flight routes, MNAA President and CEO Doug Kreulen said.
Since BNA began its intense expansion in 2017 under Kreulen's guidance, totaling more than $4.5 billion thus far, airport leadership has maintained a forward-thinking strategic plan.
While an exact timeline is not yet in place, Kreulen previously said he expects the project's construction to begin around 2034. That will be about five years after the New Horizon program is set to be completed in 2029. It includes renovated and expanded terminal roadways, additional parking and a rebuilt Concourse A.
Terminal II will consist of five new concourses, ultimately matching the existing terminal's capacity. Airport officials said the construction and grand opening of the new concourses will be phased out "over multiple decades."
Airport leadership plans to utilize 309 acres on the southside of BNA property toward Murfreesboro Pike for the second terminal.
