Summary
- Nashville International Airport unveils a new International Arrivals Facility and marketplace as part of its ongoing BNA Vision construction and renovation plan.
- The International Arrivals Facility includes six new gates, an advanced Customs and Border Protection area, and local artwork, offering a smooth travel experience for international visitors.
- The facility’s expansion aims to meet the increasing demand, attract more carriers, and open possibilities for nonstop air service to various regions.
On 25 September 2023, Nashville International Airport (BNA) announced the opening of a new International Arrivals Facility (IAF) and a new marketplace, including a variety of new establishments. These two openings are the latest steps in the airport’s long-term construction and renovation plan, which the airport has dubbed BNA Vision.
The new International Arrivals Facility includes six new aircraft gates and arrival facilities to accommodate surging international travel at BNA from the Middle Tennessee region. The new marketplace will bring local culture to the airport with a variety of new retail, dining, and other amenities to elevate the travel experience.
International Arrival Facility details
The new gates will provide larger apron space to accommodate larger, widebody aircraft but can also allow for high-volume domestic flights, increasing the airport’s capacity on both the domestic and international fronts. An advanced Customs and Border Protection (CBP) area, which will allow for over 800 passengers to be processed per hour, has been completed and includes new biometric technology.
Photo: BNA Vision
Additionally, the new area has been decorated with a variety of local artwork showcasing the city’s cherished history, including a variety of vintage photographs related to the city’s country music industry. A large mural entitled “Nashville’s Rythmic Skies” by local artist Eric Bass also features prominently within the facility alongside a massive “Welcome to Nashville” banner.
Undoubtedly, the airport’s new facility will provide a warm welcome and a smooth travel experience for BNA’s international visitors. Additionally, the new gate space and larger processing facility will make Nashville even more attractive to carriers that are considering launching service to the city.
BNA Vision Projects
The airport’s long-term renovation and expansion strategy to help BNA handle rapidly increasing demand, as is evidenced by the facility’s all-time peak recorded traffic earlier this week. According to Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the airport, expansion is necessary for the airport to continue best serving the citizens of central Tennessee. In a statement regarding the facilities’ opening, Kreulen had the following words to share:
“BNA® Vision was designed to take Nashville International Airport to the next level and meet the travel needs of Middle Tennessee not just today, tomorrow, or next year, but well into the future. Not only does the International Arrivals Facility greatly increase our ability to serve international flights and travelers, it also opens the door for future nonstop air service to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other regions.”
More BNA Vision projects are left to come this year, with upgrades to the terminal’s parking garage and a new on-site Hilton Hotel to be completed by December 2023. In June 2022, the airport announced a $1.5 billion improvement to expand two concourses, construct a new cargo terminal, and complete other upgrades. The entire project is set to be completed by the end of 2028.