Regionalism propels Tampa International Airport higher

Tampa International Airport now generates an $11 billion economic impact and serves over 25 million passengers annually. Longtime CEO Joe Lopano credits regional teamwork.

Lopano, who will retire in less than two weeks after 14 years with the airport (TPA), provided an operational update Wednesday to Pinellas County government and business leaders. He told the Tourist Development Council (TDC) that 39 million people will utilize Tampa International by 2042.

“Not surprisingly, 70% of our total traffic comes from Hillsborough and Pinellas (Counties),” Lopano said. “So, when people talk about regionalism and trying to act regionally – this is a major regional asset.”

He noted the airport is self-sufficient and doesn’t rely on public funding. While the expanding facility is busy, with projections calling for 25.9 million passengers in fiscal year 2025, Lopano said reconfigurations ensure it can accommodate large crowds in a “very calm way.”

Over 200 volunteer “ambassadors” also contribute to an orderly flow by directing people to areas in and outside the airport. Lopano thanked TDC members for taking participants to various destinations in Pinellas, and enabling them to share that insight.

The area is now “right in the middle” of spring break; TPA predicted 3.3 million passengers between March 1 and April 6. The daily count has reached 90,000 people – and many will head across the bay.

“All of us in this room have felt that economic impact,” Lopano said of the $11 billion annual total. “This is not Tampa’s airport. This is the airport for the west coast of Florida.”

Flights to Latin American and Carribean countries have increased exponentially. Screengrab.

The airport has grown exponentially during Lopano’s tenure. TPA offered about five nonstop international flights in 2011, and the number has soared to 21.

Lopano credited Christopher Minner, vice president of marketing and communications, for securing dozens of West Coast routes – from Seattle to San Diego. That coverage was previously limited to one red-eye flight to Los Angeles.

Lopano said TPA’s focus on enhancing international service has paid “massive dividends” for tourism stakeholders. A nonstop flight to Bogota, Colombia, will begin March 30 and join 17 other non-domestic routes.

“Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Lima (Peru) are still on our list,” Lopano added. “We’re going along pretty well, but we’re not done yet.”

TPA now offers 12 direct flights to Latin American and Caribbean countries, an economic development focus for the City of St. Petersburg. “These are going to be very good markets for everyone in this room,” Lopano said.

He called the new Amsterdam service a “huge win” as it enables connecting flights to India and the Middle East. Air Canada and WestJet will provide TPA’s first and second nonstop routes to Vancouver starting June 14.

Airside D, now under construction, will facilitate international travel. The much-anticipated $1.5 billion project will feature two new airline lounges and shopping and dining locations.

The 615,000-square-foot facility, the airport’s first in 20 years, is nearly double the size of Airside C. “It’s massive,” Lopano said. “It’s going to be a nice, bright and welcoming Florida experience.”

County Commissioner Dave Eggers noted that Pinellas officials are creating a regional metropolitan planning organization with their counterparts across the bay. He said they’ve identified 25 board positions and have taken two “off the top” for TPA.

“Just because we all believe what you said – it’s a regional asset,” Eggers continued. “And not Tampa’s, not Hillsborough’s, but all of ours.”

Lopano said conjoining marketing efforts was a priority. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC) quickly agreed, and “suddenly, we had a fairly large amount of money to invest with the airlines.”

“And it wasn’t just the airport going out there in front of British Airways or someone saying a flight could make sense,” Lopano said. “It was the EDCs (economic development corporations), the tourism folks – everyone standing together saying, ‘This makes sense. And we, all of us, will support this flight if you put it in.’

“That’s the secret sauce.”

Pinellas County Commission Chair Brian Scott (left) says goodbye to Joe Lopano, CEO of Tampa International Airport. Screengrab.