The Central Core is the vertical circulation area located in the center of the terminal building, containing the primary elevators, escalators and stairwell that move passengers between the ground transportation, baggage claim and ticketing levels.

 

When the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) introduced BNA® Vision—its first major expansion program—in 2016, it used the most aggressive of the Federal Aviation Administration’s passenger‑forecast models and planned for BNA® to serve 30 million travelers by 2029. Since then, the city has simply outperformed expectations. Nashville’s rapid rise as both a relocation hub and a global destination has driven far more demand than originally projected, and BNA has experienced the same surge. A refreshed analysis—based on current trends and future growth—now shows the airport could reach 40 million passengers by 2037.

To stay ahead of that growth and maintain smooth passenger flow, MNAA accelerated the Central Core enhancement. This ensures the airport can continue operating efficiently while meeting the needs of a much larger traveling population. Recent performance reflects that momentum: in 2025, BNA scored above the large‑airport average in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study, with travelers highlighting improvements to the facility, dining and retail offerings.

The project is also financially responsible. BNA receives no local tax dollars. Consistent with all airport capital improvement projects, funding comes from bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) and other airport funds.

No. The Central Core project will not require BNA® to operate as two separate terminals as it did during the Grand Lobby reconstruction from Sept. 1, 2020 - Jan. 24, 2023.

BNA will continue to operate as a single terminal throughout the 18-month project.

No. The Grand Lobby will remain open for the duration of the 18‑month project.

Several elevators are located on both the left and right sides of the pedestrian bridge.

Use any of these to reach Level 1, then follow the signage directing you to Level 1 / Ground Transportation (Rental Car Counters).

From there, additional signs will guide you up to Level 3 (Departures) for ticketing and the security checkpoint.

Because the Grand Lobby will remain open throughout construction, we do not expect security wait times to increase.

Most passengers will simply take a slightly different path to reach the TSA checkpoint. During construction, there may be brief delays when using elevators or escalators from the parking garage, but the screening process itself is not expected to slow down.

To keep travelers moving efficiently, additional staff and clear signage will guide passengers to security and other key areas of the terminal.

Real‑time security wait times are always available on the homepage of flynashville.com

No. The Central Core elevators and escalators refer only to the existing six escalators and two elevators located in the vertical circulation area at the center of the terminal building.

Other pre‑security elevators and escalators connecting the ticketing level, baggage claim and ground transportation will remain open during construction.

In addition, signage and staff will be available to assist passengers and guests in navigating these alternate routes.

Because the Grand Lobby will remain open throughout construction, we do not expect security wait times to increase. However, we still encourage travelers to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.

For the most up‑to‑date information, real‑time security wait times are always available on the homepage of flynashville.com

No. Passengers will continue to be dropped off on Level 3 and picked up on Level 2.

Ride‑share services, including Uber and Lyft, will also operate as usual from the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2.

The additional escalators and elevators will reduce congestion and improve passenger flow, particularly in the main lobby where demand is highest.

The leadership team at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) brings extensive airport‑industry and passenger‑movement expertise, and their projections are based on current marketplace data that show these upgrades will meaningfully improve circulation.

We currently serve more than 24.8 million passengers a year — about 2.5 million each month — who use the escalators and elevators throughout the terminal.

In the future, we will be able to accommodate more than 3.8 million passengers monthly.

Passenger safety, cleanliness and overall comfort remain our highest priorities throughout construction.

To contain construction impacts, a 20‑foot‑tall metal wall will shield the first‑floor terminal entrance, and industrial air scrubbers will help control dust from the atrium.

Crews will also schedule the loudest Central Core work during off‑peak hours to minimize disruption for passengers.

Both Terminal Garage 1 and Terminal Garage 2 will remain fully open, so traffic flow and parking access won’t change.

The only adjustment is that all travelers will enter the terminal through the first level.

We’re also continuing to make new parking options available as part of our expansion, and this will not interfere with any other expansion projects.

Ensuring that every journey through BNA® remains easy, inclusive and welcoming is central to our mission — even during renovation. BNA will remain fully ADA‑compliant throughout the construction period. These improvements are designed to reduce congestion and enhance accessibility for all travelers, including the addition of a new elevator.

The project will also improve capacity and passenger flow by increasing the number of escalators connecting ground transportation, baggage claim and ticketing levels.

Beyond the central core elevators, multiple elevators throughout the terminal will continue to operate and remain accessible during construction.

Passengers will continue to have full access to curbside drop‑off and pick‑up throughout construction, and all walkways and pathways will remain ADA‑compliant.

Throughout construction, additional staff will be stationed in key areas to assist travelers, answer questions and help manage crosswalks — ensuring a smoother, more supportive experience for everyone.

Discover the services and support available through BNA® Cares

No. Composed of 9,000 washi‑paper and bamboo kites, The Unscalable Rampart of Time will be temporarily removed and safely stored during construction, but it is not being retired.

BNA® is working closely with artist Jacob Hashimoto to retrofit the piece so it fits seamlessly into the update space.

Once the Central Core Enhancement is complete in Dec. 2027, the art installation will return in an enhanced form, carefully adapted to the refreshed environment and ready to welcome the airport’s future 40 million annual passengers.

No. The Central Core project does not delay any other planned construction.

In fact, completing this work now will help streamline passenger movement and make it easier for travelers as additional expansion projects continue.

No. BNA receives no local tax dollars.

Consistent with all airport capital improvement projects, funding comes from bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) and other airport funds.