Nashville International Airport continued its rapid growth during the 2026 fiscal year, welcoming a record 26.7 million passengers while advancing billions of dollars in construction projects designed to prepare the airport for continued growth in Middle Tennessee.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said passenger traffic at Nashville International Airport, or BNA, increased 7.7% during the fiscal year that ended June 30, making FY26 the busiest year in the airport’s history.
“This has been a year defined by bold growth, major investments and partnerships that strengthen our role as a gateway to one of the nation’s most dynamic regions,” said MNAA President/CEO Doug Kreulen. “From record passenger activity, new air service and major infrastructure investments, BNA and JWN are positioning Nashville for the future.”
The airport also established a single-day passenger record on Oct. 5, 2025, when 116,047 passengers traveled through BNA.
October proved particularly busy as fall break travel helped push monthly passenger traffic to approximately 2.55 million, a 10% increase from October 2024. The airport handled 13,804 commercial flights during the month.
BNA’s expanding air service also reached a milestone in June, when the airport reported 115 nonstop destinations, the most in its history.
International service continued to grow. Porter Airlines became BNA’s newest airline partner in May, launching nonstop service between Nashville and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. BNA also marked the first anniversaries of its partnerships with Aer Lingus and Icelandair, which provide nonstop service to Dublin and Reykjavík, respectively.
The passenger growth comes as MNAA continues its $3 billion New Horizon construction and renovation program, which is intended to give BNA capacity to eventually accommodate 40 million passengers annually.
One of the year’s biggest milestones was completion of the Concourse D extension, the first New Horizon project to open.
The expansion added five gates, five new food and beverage locations, three retailers, four original works of art, a moving walkway and an outdoor terrace offering views of aircraft activity and downtown Nashville.
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Concourse D extension LEED Silver status for its sustainable design and energy-efficient systems.
Work is also underway on a complete replacement of Concourse A. The existing concourse has closed for demolition, with the new facility scheduled to open in July 2028.
The new Concourse A is expected to have 16 gates, expanded passenger facilities, additional concessions, an outdoor terrace and a mezzanine level with airline lounges. American Airlines has announced plans for a new, expanded Admirals Club when the concourse opens.
Another massive undertaking is BNA’s Central Ramp Expansion. During FY26, crews surpassed one million cubic yards of fill toward the project’s approximately 1.1 million-cubic-yard total. MNAA said the pace is equivalent to roughly 300 dump-truck loads per day.
When completed, the project will provide additional space for aircraft movement, overnight parking and deicing.
Construction also began on a six-story, 3.5-million-square-foot rental car facility that will accommodate approximately 4,700 rental vehicles. The project will include a new 3,000-space parking garage.
Inside the terminal, MNAA launched a $40 million, 18-month Central Core Enhancement project. The renovation will expand entrance areas and increase elevator and escalator capacity to improve passenger movement.
Even as New Horizon construction continues, airport officials are looking further ahead. MNAA has begun discussing its ‘Over the Horizon’ plans, which include early concepts for a second terminal intended to accommodate Nashville’s long-term aviation growth.
Growth has not been limited to BNA.
John C. Tune Airport, MNAA’s general aviation airport, recorded 18,547 jet operations during FY26, an increase of 7.5%. Fuel volume reached 3.8 million gallons, up 11.5%.
Fall break also produced record activity at John C. Tune, with 1,954 business jet operations. October fuel deliveries reached 389,942 gallons, 9.3% above the previous record established in October 2024.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department also opened a new aviation unit hangar at John C. Tune during the fiscal year.
MNAA also expanded accessibility efforts at BNA with the launch of GoodMaps, an indoor navigation application designed to assist travelers who are blind or have low vision with way finding throughout the terminal.
The Airport Authority continued several community and business initiatives during the year.
Proceeds from the 2025 BNA 5K on the Runway benefited Second Harvest Food Bank, Musicians On Call and Nashville State Community College.
The 29th annual BNA Aviation Golf Classic supported the Japan America Society of Tennessee’s Cherry Blossom Festival, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Parkinson’s Foundation Tennessee and Kentucky Chapter.
MNAA also reported record attendance and vendor participation at its annual Business Taking Off Conference, which connects businesses with opportunities associated with the airport’s continuing expansion.
BNA additionally celebrated 40 years of partnership with Southwest Airlines.
The airport and Airport Authority received several national and local honors during the year.
BNA ranked seventh among large North American airports for overall customer satisfaction in the 2025 J.D. Power rankings. Airport Experience Awards recognized BNA for Best Overall Concessions Program and Best Program Design.
In the USA TODAY ‘10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards,’ BNA was named the nation’s No. 1 airport for shopping for the third consecutive year. The Titans Press Box was named Best Airport Bar, while BNA ranked No. 2 for Best Large Airport.
The airport also placed among AirHelp’s top 10 globally in two categories, ranking No. 4 for facilities and comfort and No. 10 for passenger experience. BNA ranked No. 7 overall among U.S. airports in the report.
MNAA received its 25th consecutive Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Kreulen received the Apollo Award at PRSA Nashville’s 39th Parthenon Awards and was among the Nashville Business Journal’s 2025 C-Suite Award recipients. MNAA’s communications team was also named Best In-House Team in the government category at the Parthenon Awards.
Former MNAA Board Chair Bill Freeman, who died in 2024, was posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.
With passenger traffic continuing to rise and major construction underway across the airport campus, MNAA officials said the year’s results demonstrate both Nashville’s continuing growth and the need to prepare its aviation infrastructure for millions more passengers in the years ahead.
