FAQ
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority® (MNAA) is updating the BNA® Master Plan to keep pace with the rapid growth and evolving needs of Nashville International Airport® (BNA®). The previous plan, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2020, laid the groundwork for major improvements—such as the updated Grand Lobby and Concourse D extension—delivered through the BNA® Vision and New Horizon expansion programs.
With passenger traffic continuing to reach record highs, airport facilities and operations are under increasing pressure. This sustained growth underscores the need for an update to the BNA® Master Plan to ensure that BNA can continue to meet future demand. Building on the foundation of the 2020 plan, the new BNA® Master Plan will provide a strategic framework for development through 2047, with opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement.
The BNA® Master Plan process is anticipated to take two years, concluding in the first half of 2027.
Technical reports will be developed during the BNA® Master Plan process. Once reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these reports will be released to the community.
The BNA® Master Plan includes a Public Involvement designed to keep the community and airport stakeholders informed with regular progress updates. This process also provides opportunities for meaningful engagement and participation.
Details on how to take part in open houses for the BNA® Master Plan are available under the Community Open House tab at the top of this page.
Several projects at Nashville International Airport’s® (BNA®) are currently underway or scheduled to begin during the same period as the BNA® Master Plan.
Although the BNA® Master Plan process is conducted independently from other ongoing projects and studies, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) is maintaining close coordination of data inputs, analysis and results to ensure consistency. MNAA is also coordinating all Public Involvement efforts.
No local tax dollars are used to finance projects recommended in the BNA® Master Plan. Instead, these projects are typically funded through a combination of Federal funds and airport-generated revenue.
Projects will be implemented in response to growth in passenger volumes and operational activity.
Yes. Before implementation, each recommended project undergoes its own analysis, which includes an environmental review in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In addition, funding must be secured before any project can move forward.
The BNA® Master Plan will evaluate potential noise impacts over the 20-year planning period. As part of this effort, a future noise contour will be prepared to reflect the future conditions and will be based on the BNA® Master Plan’s demand forecast.
Separately, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) is updating the Noise Exposure Map (NEM), which assesses both current noise levels and projected conditions five years into the future. The NEM update also includes a Public Involvement process to engage the community.
For questions or concerns about airport noise today, please visit: https://flighttracker.casper.aero/bna/complaint/
New Horizon is the construction and renovation plan for Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) to meet the unprecedented growth of Nashville and travel needs of passengers. Following the success of BNA® Vision—the airport’s first expansion program, completed in February 2024—BNA began the design phase of New Horizon in 2022. This second major expansion represents an additional $3 billion investment, implemented in phases, with completion anticipated in 2029. In total, BNA’s development budget and scope since 2017 will reach $4.5 billion. For more details, visit BNANewHorizon.com
The BNA® Master Plan, by contrast, is a long-range‑planning study that examines the airport’s development needs over the next 20 years.
The BNA® Master Plan is using future passenger demand projections to develop high-level solutions that the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) can bring to regional partners for implementation. While there is significant discussion surrounding traffic conditions at the airport, the scope, scale, and continuity of MNAA’s roadway improvement efforts are often absent from the broader conversation. Since 2017, MNAA has implemented two major growth and expansion programs that represent a $365 million investment in the airport’s infrastructure to expand and improve its roadways. MNAA is in a constant state of planning for the future, which includes extensive, thorough roadway modeling to help design and build terminal roadways to support 40 million annual passengers and beyond in the future. MNAA remains focused on delivering long-term, sustainable solutions to enhance the traveler experience at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) and support the region’s continued growth, but MNAA does not operate in a silo. The efforts of partners at city and state levels are also key to ensuring that visitors and locals alike have a seamless journey to and from the airport as part of our shared interest in the region’s continued unprecedented success.
The BNA® Master Plan considers the passenger experience when planning passenger terminal facilities; everything from walking distances, to the number of ticketing counters, to the size of baggage claim are taken into account. Industry standards, such as International Air Transport Association (IATA) levels of service, are used as a reference point to inform the size of the terminal areas. Ultimately, any changes in response to the BNA® Master Plan will support the airport’s mission: to provide outstanding customer service, facilities and air service in a safe and secure environment.
