The planning process for Nashville's modern terminal and runways began in 1973. The Airport Authority and the community, with extensive input from all constituencies, developed a comprehensive Master Plan for growth and development. This Master Plan provided a broadly agreed-upon framework within which industry and community planners could effectively respond to rapidly changing aviation technology and growing consumer demand. The plan for facilities is based upon traffic projections provided by the federal government and other sources.
The 1973 Master Plan advised that the existing terminal would reach capacity during the time frame covered by the study (1973-1990), that new terminal facilities should be constructed and that another runway should be constructed east of Donelson Pike.
In 1980, responding to updated passenger traffic growth projections, the Authority began a Master Plan Update. An environmental assessment for the long anticipated new terminal was completed in 1981. The new terminal design was completed and unveiled. Soon after, $128.5 million in Airport Authority revenue bonds were issued to finance construction. Nashville's new terminal opened ahead of schedule and under budget in 1987.
Today the airport meets the community's demand for air service based on projections made more than 20 years ago and updated in 1980. A Master Plan to anticipate Nashville's needs beyond the year 2000 was developed in 1993, based upon traffic projections by independent sources. It is a community plan with input from a broad cross section of interested citizens. Known as Nashville's 30-Year Aviation Plan, it is designed to anticipate air service needs through the year 2023.
The Plan is based on FAA-approved passenger projections over the next two decades. Traffic at Nashville International Airport is expected to nearly double over the next decade. In addition to passenger loads, the 30 Year Plan anticipates future conditions and advances in the aviation industry, including the design and technology of aircraft.
Nashville's plan recommends a fifth runway proposed for construction between 2013 and 2023. Specific proposals are also made for new terminals and expansion, road relocations and additional parking.
The Plan responds to community needs on a regional basis, so that Nashville and its surrounding service area will be linked to other domestic and international markets and be a vibrant part of the United States system of aviation.
Master Plan Update - June 2005 (1.8 MB) |
