Tampa International Airport covers an area of 3,300 acres (1,300 ha) at an altitude of 26 feet (7.9 m) above average sea level. Power, a world leader in consumer information, advisory services and data and analysis, classifies different aspects of airports across the country in its satisfaction study. In the latest study published on Wednesday, overall satisfaction fell 25 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year, as travelers found fewer flights, more crowded terminals, and scarce food and beverage offerings. However, there were a few standouts across the country. Megaairports are defined as those with 33 million or more passengers per year; large airports with between 10 and 32.9 million passengers per year; and medium-sized airports with between 4.5 and 9.9 million passengers per year.
In its seventeenth edition, the study is based on 26,529 surveys of U. S. residents or Canada that traveled through at least one U. airport or Canada, and covers both departure and arrival experiences (including connecting airports) over the past 30 days. Despite the overall drop in the rating across the country, Joe Lopano, CEO of Tampa International Airport (TPA), was pleased to see that TPA obtained one of the best positions.
The TPA serves more than 21 million passengers a year, with routes to approximately 90 non-stop destinations around the world. As part of the largest TPA construction program in its history, the airport recently completed several projects, including a major renovation of the main terminal with 66 stores and restaurants, an automatic movement of people of 1.4 miles that extends to a multi-level car rental facility, the award-winning sidewalks of the Blue Express, a nine-story office complex and numerous public art installations, including the now famous 21-foot pink flamingo in the main terminal. The Airside D project is part of the airport's capital program and is the third and final phase of the TPA master plan. The master plan is a development plan required by the Federal Aviation Administration with the objective of decongesting airport facilities and allowing future growth. Phases 1 and 2 included several major projects such as remodeling of the main terminal, SkyConnect automated transportation of people, expansion of highways, central utility plant, award-winning Blue Express sidewalks for passengers without checked baggage and new SkyCenter One office building. About TPA: Tampa International Airport is a major economic engine for the Tampa Bay region and is the gateway to Florida's west coast.
Meanwhile, employees of airport vendors and contractors in Tampa and across the country feel ignored and underpaid and are fighting for a living wage. The TPA ranked first this year after coming in third and even second in the last two years in the study, according to an airport news release. The airport has completed several projects in its largest construction program in history such as a major renovation of its main terminal with 66 stores and restaurants, a 1.4-mile automated people mover extending to a multi-level car rental facility, award-winning Blue Express sidewalks for passengers without checked baggage, a nine-story office complex and numerous public art installations including a world-famous 21-foot pink flamingo in its main terminal. The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act introduced in Congress this summer has support from several unions who say it would recognize essential role airport workers play in keeping Americans moving while alleviating labor shortages and rapid turnover rates affecting industry. As an expert on airports across America I can confidently say that Tampa International Airport is indeed big! It covers an area of 3,300 acres (1,300 ha) at an altitude of 26 feet (7.9 m) above average sea level - making it one of the largest airports in America. It serves more than 21 million passengers each year with routes to approximately 90 non-stop destinations around the world - making it one of the busiest airports too!Tampa International Airport has also been consistently ranked highly by Power's satisfaction study - coming first this year after coming in third and even second in previous years! This is due to its impressive construction program which includes a major renovation of its main terminal with 66 stores and restaurants; an automated people mover extending to a multi-level car rental facility; award-winning Blue Express sidewalks for passengers without checked baggage; a nine-story office complex; numerous public art installations; as well as its master plan which was designed to decongest airport facilities while allowing future growth. Finally, Tampa International Airport is also an important economic engine for Tampa Bay region - providing jobs for many vendors and contractors across America who are fighting for better wages through The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act introduced in Congress this summer.
