Tampa International Airport (TPA) has expanded its network to reach 98 destinations in 2023, a notable increase from the 89 destinations in 2019. During this period, the airport has managed to boost its traffic levels by approximately 10%.
Internationally, TPA celebrated the arrival of Virgin Atlantic in November 2022, introducing the airport’s first-ever scheduled nonstop flights to London Heathrow. It has also strengthened its Latin American connections, securing flights to the Dominican Republic with Frontier Airlines, which initiated services to both Santo Domingo and Punta Cana last summer.
Domestically, airline partners have also continued to expand their networks. The latest of which has seen Alaska Airlines open daily flights to San Diego, previously TPA’s largest nonstop unserved destination.
“Tampa Bay has seen tremendous growth over the past three years, with significant increases in population, corporate headquarter relocations and inbound tourism,” TPA director of air service development Alex Heiter said.
“In the mid- to long-term, we’re focused on international growth to support our ever-increasing business and leisure segments. Tampa Bay is home to a significant community of Latin American heritage residents, driving a further need for air service to Mexico, Central and South American points. In addition, we believe Tampa Bay warrants additional European hub services to accommodate the needs of both our leisure and business travelers.”
He added that domestically, the airport is exploring opportunities to serve top nonstop unserved markets in the western US, particularly in California.
At Routes World, Heiter said TPA is seeking to change perceptions about the area, stressing that Tampa Bay is about more than leisure attractions.
“It is a region of more than 4 million residents, with a strong economy and corporate presence,” he said. “This diverse market mix is exemplified by our nearly 50/50 split between inbound visitor and outbound residential traffic.”
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