County Gets Look into Future of Tampa International

Future improvements include adding trains, moving the rental car facility and expanding terminals.

A new light rail train, expanded terminals and a new location for the rental car facility are among the changes that could come to Tampa International Airport in the coming years, an official told Pinellas County Commissioners on Tuesday. Joseph Lopano, Chief Executive Officer of Tampa International, laid out the plans at Tuesday's county commission meeting. In his presentation, Lopano said future build outs of the airport would mean TIA could easily support nearly 35 million passengers by the year 2041. In 2011, 16,732,051 passengers traveled through Tampa International. According to Lopano, the biggest issues at the airport now are congestion and capacity. Those issues include: In the presentation, which Lopano said he will officially …

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Big Changes To Pick Up Lanes at Tampa Airport

Coming later this month, if you're picking someone up at Tampa International Airport, you won't be able to park and wait for them at baggage claim.

When officials at Tampa International Airport designed the cell-phone waiting lot, they hoped it would cut down on traffic congestion at the pick up area near baggage claim on the arrivals side of the airport. Even though the lot is complete with a giant board for flight information, wireless Internet access and restrooms, the congestion returned only a few weeks after the new waiting area was introduced. The days of sitting in your car for 20 minutes while your friends get their luggage are over. Starting Dec. 20, expect a new crackdown on that congestion near baggage claim. Officials say that if your passengers aren't already outside waiting for you, you will be asked to leave the area. Dr. Joseph Diaco, an airport board member, told …

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Hurricane Sandy Flight Cancellations in Tampa Bay

Need to find out if your flight to the Northeast is grounded? Here are some resources to help you out.

As Hurricane Sandy prepares to make landfall in the Northeast, a number of flights to and from the Tampa Bay area are cancelled. Travelers are being advised to check on the status of their flights before they leave for Bay area airport such as Tampa International, Sarasota Bradenton and St. Petersburg/Clearwater. Here is a list of resources you can use to find out if your flight is grounded: To find out more about a departing, arriving or rescheduled flights, check directly with the airline you purchased your ticket from. Has your flight been grounded? Let us know where you were trying to go in the comments section.

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Tampa Airport Auctions Lost Items

The web-based auction allows users to bid on hundreds of items lost or abandoned at the Tampa International Airport, including cameras, luggage, iPods and computer accessories.

Everyone in Tampa Bay who flies commercial jets uses Tampa International Airport, whether they reside in the Old Northeast or Palm Harbor. But few Tampa Bay residents know that the Tampa airport is hosting an online auction of lost and abandoned property. Maybe you'll spot for sale that iPod you left in the airport before boarding a plane? More likely, you'll find some good deals on expensive items. The Aviation Authority has hundreds of abandoned items listed for sale at a public online auction that started Sept 9 and ends Sept. 26. All you need to do to participate is go to www.govdeals.com. Then search by location. You also can go straight to the webpage on Government Deals. Items include cameras, iPods, DVD Players, luggage, books, …

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