Nashville International Airport Gears Up for Fall Break with Enhanced Terminal Operations and Passenger Support

WHAT: Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) is preparing for its busiest travel period of the year—Fall Break. With thousands of passengers expected to pass through the terminal daily, BNA is taking proactive steps to ensure a seamless travel experience for all.

To accommodate the increased passenger volume, BNA and its partners are implementing several operational enhancements, including:

• Traffic Coordination
  • The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will actively monitor and manage traffic, including manually operating traffic signals on high-volume days to help improve traffic flow.
  • Dedicated traffic officers will be deployed on high-volume days: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays
  • The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has been contracted to manage traffic at the Donelson Pike / Connector Road intersection during peak travel days
• Parking Reserves
  • The lower level of Economy Lot C—offering 1,000 additional spaces—is prepared to open if needed to accommodate peak demand
• Increased Staffing
  • Additional personnel will assist with customer service, line management, parking and valet operations, helping to manage increased traffic and improve passenger flow
• Terminal Operations Support
  • Overflow stanchions will be in place to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with added queuing space during peak hours
  • Shuttle operations to and from the Satellite Concourse will be closely monitored, with all seven shuttles operating during high-demand periods
• TSA Readiness Measures | TSA Media Contact: Carter Langston
  • TSA will increase staffing Thursday through Monday to meet peak travel demand
  • All TSA staff training activities have been suspended during the Fall Break travel season to ensure maximum coverage
  • The National Deployment Force (NDF) will be prepared to provide supplemental support and three additional checkpoint lanes as needed during the travel peak, pending government negotiations
• Government Shutdown Awareness
  • The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) is in close contact with key federal partners—including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to keep airport operations running smoothly. Stay informed at flynashville.com/shutdown

This peak Fall Break travel period comes as BNA closed the existing Concourse A on Sept. 24 for a complete demolition and reconstruction under New Horizon, the airport’s
$3 billion growth and expansion plan. Those accustomed to departing or arriving from Concourse A should check with their airline for the most up-to-date gate information.

The closure of Concourse A marks a milestone in the transformation of BNA that will help enable the airport to support 40 million annual passengers in the future. It follows the opening of the Concourse D extension, which was the first project completed under New Horizon and allows BNA to remain gate neutral as airline partners relocate to other concourses in the terminal when Concourse A closes. The new Concourse A is scheduled for completion on July 11, 2028. For more information and the latest updates about New Horizon, visit BNANewHorizon.com.

As these improvements continue, travelers can take a few simple steps to help navigate the airport with ease:

• Take advantage of our new short-term parking! To alleviate congestion further and promote efficient traffic flow, visitors coming to retrieve family or friends are encouraged not to continuously circle Terminal Drive. Instead, they are offered the choice of complimentary or reduced-rate parking in the terminal garages, with rates varying based
  on their duration of stay:
  • • • • • 0 – 30 minutes | FREE
          • 31 – 60 minutes | $10
          • 61 – 90 minutes | $20
          • 91+ minutes | $31

• Rideshare Drop-Offs Now Route to GTC: Ride-share drop-offs have been relocated to the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) to ease curbside congestion. Pick-ups remain in the same GTC location. The walk from the GTC to the Grand Lobby is less than five minutes and fully ADA-compliant. Travelers needing additional accessibility support are encouraged to check their ride-share app for alternative drop-off options and/or visit How Do I Schedule a Wheelchair-Accessible Uber or Lyft?
• Utilize the new cell lot. Our cell lot located at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike remains a complimentary option for drivers awaiting the arrival of their loved one. The new lot provides ample space and digital signage that displays real-time updates on incoming flights. Please allow 20-30 minutes from landing time for your loved one to reach the curb. Click here for more information and helpful tips.
• Sign up for BNA® Text Alerts. Click on BNA® Text Alerts at the top of flynashville.com for valuable tips and updates, ensuring a smooth travel experience to BNA with the latest traffic information.
• Take alternate routes to BNA. Familiarize yourself with all the routes to BNA – such as 216A, 216B, and Murfreesboro Pike – especially during heavy travel periods.
• Arrive early. Avoid last-minute rushes by arriving early. Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international departures. This gives you plenty of time to park, check in, clear security, and find your gate with ease.
• Allow extra time for parking. BNA has six parking options to choose from. If parking in valet, passengers coming from I-40 will only be able to access this area from Exit 216B. Check parking details and availability here.
• Check the status of your flight before arriving at BNA. Before making your way to the airport, be sure to confirm your flight’s status. Staying informed helps avoid unnecessary delays and ensures a smoother travel experience.
• Pack smart. Streamline your travel experience by brushing up on TSA's Top Travel Tips before you pack. Knowing what to bring—and what to leave behind—can save you time and hassle at security.

WHERE: Nashville International Airport

WHEN: Oct. 2 – 20, 2025 | Peak Travel Period: Oct. 5 – 10