$1.1 billion project breaks ground at Fort Myers airport

Work is underway on a new concourse at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), where officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking this week.

The $1.1 billion construction project will create the brand-new Concourse E, including 14 gates, at the Fort Myers airport. United, American and Frontier Airlines will be relocating to the new terminal. In addition, a concessions area will feature national and local brands, offering both retail and food options, according to a statement. 

Concourse E will span three levels, encompassing 513,000 square feet. A new nine-gate TSA checkpoint is part of the project, along with a new baggage handling system, baggage claim area and business lounge. Once behind security, passengers will have access to Concourses B, C and D.

The new concourse is expected to accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 people daily, according to a spokesperson for RSW.

Blending with the existing terminal through a modern aerodynamic aviation theme, the new terminal roofline will be designed to represent an aircraft wing, according to the statement. Several elements inside will create a southwest Florida ambiance. The ceiling will be "designed to reflect the calming waves of the gulf" and facilitate acoustics, while the floor will be blue and tan terrazzo to represent the southwest Florida shoreline, the statement says. Tropical landscaping and plenty of seating will be installed around the new terminal, while the baggage claim will have "architectural elements reflecting southwest Florida nautical maps, with floating ceilings and enhanced LED lighting." Concourse E will be surrounded by glass exterior walls that are thermal insulated to maintain temperature, with some areas featuring dynamic glass to reduce glare.

To accommodate travelers, the terminal curb will be upgraded and a new crosswalk created with access to the short-term garage. Two more levels will be added to the parking garage to increase capacity, airport officials say.

Site preparation for Concourse E started in October, and work is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028, an airport spokesperson says. Suffolk Construction is overseeing the project, which will create 1,000 jobs, according to a statement.

The project is funded by Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration grants, general airport revenue bonds and passenger facility charges, according to a statement, which adds that no property taxes were used.

Last year, RSW served more than 11 million passengers, making it among the top 50 airports for passenger traffic in the country. The 2024 passenger volume was up about 9.52% over the year before. RSW officials expect growth to continue, saying the new concourse is being added to meet the expected increase in passengers at the airport.