People Mover At Boston Logan: What You Need To Know

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. It is the largest airport in Tennessee, serving more than 22.8 million passengers in 2023. With Middle Tennessee's booming population and the airport's record-breaking passenger increases, BNA has undergone significant growth and expansion plans, including the BNA Vision and New Horizons projects. These projects aim to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic and enhance BNA's facilities. So, does BNA airport have a people mover?

BNA Vision: A growth and expansion plan to accommodate more passengers

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is undergoing a dynamic growth and expansion plan, known as BNA Vision, to accommodate the region's booming population and the airport's increasing passenger numbers. The plan aims to maintain BNA's status as a world-class transit hub and ensure it keeps pace with Nashville's development.

Phases of BNA Vision

BNA Vision is a multi-year, multi-phase project. While specific details may evolve, the current plan includes:

• Terminal Apron and Taxilane Expansion: Phase 2 of this project will be completed in Fall 2023.
• Expanding Concourse D and Building a Central Utility Plant: Concourse D is now complete and open. The Central Utility Plant is also complete and operational.
• Expanding Ticketing Lobby and Baggage Claim: This includes the North and South Terminal Wing Expansions, which are already finished and accessible.
• On-Airport Hotel and Terminal Garage: The garage is complete and open, offering approximately 3,000 parking spaces. The on-site hotel, located within walking distance of the terminal, opened in early 2024.
• State-of-the-Art International Arrivals Facility (IAF): This will enhance the existing Interim International Arrivals Building.
• Terminal Lobby Renovation: This will include a spacious terminal lobby and central checkpoint, with additional security screening lanes.
• Donelson Pike Relocation and Terminal Access Roadway Improvements: The Donelson Pike relocation is expected to be completed by 2026, while the terminal access roadway improvements are scheduled for late 2028.

Funding and Benefits

The BNA Vision expansion plan will be funded without local tax dollars. Instead, funding will come from bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), and other airport funds. The project will create thousands of local jobs, boost the regional economy, and enhance BNA's position as a vital transportation gateway for Middle Tennessee.

Ongoing Growth: New Horizon

Following the completion of BNA Vision in February 2024, the airport embarked on its second growth and expansion plan, New Horizon. This includes extending Concourse D from 6 to 11 gates and exploring the possibility of extending one of its runways to facilitate more nonstop routes, international destinations, and cargo services.

Nashville International Airport's history: Established in 1937, the airport has expanded over the years

Nashville International Airport (BNA) has indeed expanded over the years since its establishment in 1937.

The airport first opened in June 1937 under the name Berry Field Nashville (BNA), covering just over 300 acres of land. The airport was dedicated on November 1, 1936, and its opening was celebrated with parades, an air show, and an aerial bombardment display. The new airport had three asphalt runways, a three-story passenger terminal, a control tower, two hangars, and a beacon, all built at a cost of $1.2 million. In its first year, Berry Field served 189,000 passengers.

During World War II, the airfield was requisitioned by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command and expanded to 1,500 acres. After the war, in 1946, the airport was returned to the control of the city, retaining some facilities for the Tennessee National Guard.

In the early 1960s, with increasing passenger numbers, the airport underwent significant expansion and modernisation. A new 145,000-square-foot terminal opened in 1961, and for the first time, the airport served more than 500,000 passengers in a year. This was also the first time that scheduled jets operated from Berry Field, with American Airlines introducing the 720/720Bs.

By the 1970s, further expansion was required, and the newly created Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) developed a long-term growth plan, including a new terminal and a new parallel runway to increase capacity and reduce time between takeoffs and landings.

In the early 1980s, construction began on a modern terminal, designed by Robert Lamb Hart in association with Gresham, Smith, and Partners. This new terminal, completed in 1987, featured three main concourses and a smaller commuter concourse radiating from a three-story atrium. An international wing was also included in Concourse A. The airport was renamed Nashville International Airport/Berry Field, though today, it is more commonly referred to simply as Nashville International Airport, with the "Berry Field" portion rarely used.

In 1989, a new parallel runway was opened, and in 1993, American Airlines, which had established a hub at Nashville in 1985, peaked with 265 daily departures to 79 cities. However, the hub operated at a loss, and flights were gradually scaled back until its closure in 1995. Southwest Airlines then gradually filled the void, becoming the dominant airline in Nashville.

In the early 2000s, Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services selected Nashville as the location for its Regional Airline Support Facility, and in 2006, the airport authority commenced an extensive renovation of the terminal building, the first since its opening in 1987. This renovation project was completed in two phases, with the first phase updating and expanding food services, improving flight information systems, and constructing a new consolidated security checkpoint. The second phase involved expanding ticketing and check-in areas, renovating bathrooms, and revamping baggage claim areas.

In recent years, the airport has experienced rapid growth in both passengers and flights, leading to the development of two expansion programs: "BNA Vision" and "New Horizons." These programs include upgrades such as expanding concourses, constructing a new international arrivals facility, building new parking garages, and an on-site hotel. The BNA Vision upgrades were mostly completed in 2023, while the New Horizons upgrades are scheduled for completion in 2028.

Today, Nashville International Airport covers 4,555 acres of land and has one terminal with five concourses and a total of 54 gates. The airport offers service to 99 destinations across the United States and several international locations. It is the busiest airport in Tennessee and continues to be one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

Ground transportation: Accessing the airport by road, bus, or rail

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is located 8 miles (13 km) from downtown Nashville, with easy access by road, bus, or rideshare.

By Road

If you are driving to the airport from downtown Nashville, take 1st Avenue N, continue onto Hermitage Avenue, turn right onto Fairfield Avenue, then left onto Green Street. Merge onto I-24 E/I-40 E and continue on I-40 E. Take exit 216A toward International Airport, then continue on to Terminal Drive for access to the terminal.

If you are arriving from Franklin, take I-65 N, then exit 80 onto the I-440. Merge onto I-24 W toward Nashville/Knoxville/I-40 E, then take exit 52B to merge onto I-40 E. Take exit 216A toward International Airport and continue on to Terminal Drive for access to the terminal.

By Bus

Bus route 18 operates between BNA and downtown Nashville. The express route takes approximately 20 minutes, while other services can take up to 45 minutes. The bus route display will state either Route 18 Airport, 18 Airport Express, or 18 Elm Hill.

By Rideshare

Rideshare operators such as Uber and Lyft are authorized to operate from BNA. Both pick up from the ground transportation area, with Lyft at zone A and Uber at zones B and C.

Incidents and accidents: A history of accidents and passenger injuries at BNA

25th June 2023

A 30-year-old man from Kentucky died by suicide at Nashville International Airport. The man, who had been experiencing depression, jumped from the sixth floor of a BNA airport parking garage while talking with Airport Police.

9th September 2022

A single-engine Aviat Pitts S-1-11B crashed into the Cumberland River in Chapmansboro, Tennessee. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

19th August 2022

A single-engine Cessna 182 crashed in a field while the pilot was attempting to land at Gilmer County Airport in Ellijay, Georgia. Four people were on board. The FAA investigated the incident.

16th August 2022

A single-engine Cessna 182 crashed in a field in Newnan, Georgia. Two people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

15th August 2022

A single-engine Cessna 150 made a hard landing at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville, Georgia, after the pilot experienced a medical emergency. Two people were on board. The FAA investigated the incident.

14th August 2022

A single-engine Cirrus SR20 landed in a field near St. George Regional Airport in Utah after the pilot reported engine issues. Three people were on board. The FAA investigated the incident.

12th August 2022

A single-engine Piper PA-28 crashed near Terrell Municipal Airport in Texas. Three people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

9th August 2022

A single-engine Mooney M20E crashed near Old Rhinebeck Airport in New York. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

5th August 2022

A single-engine Piper PA-32 crashed into the Tampa Bay shortly after departing from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida. Four people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident.

22nd July 2022

A single-engine Cessna 182 slid into a ditch after landing at Klenawicus Airfield in Shelter Island, New York. Two people were on board. The FAA investigated the incident.

21st July 2022

A single-engine Mooney M20A made an emergency landing in a cornfield near Homer, Michigan, after experiencing engine issues. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA investigated the incident.

Airlines and destinations: The airlines operating from BNA and their destinations

Airlines and Destinations from BNA

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is served by 20 airlines, flying passengers to 113 destinations in 7 countries. Here is a list of the airlines operating from BNA and their destinations:

Southwest Airlines (76 destinations)

• Akron (CAK)
• Albany (ALB)
• Albuquerque
• Atlanta (ATL)
• Austin (AUS)
• Baltimore-Washington (BWI)
• Birmingham (BHM)
• Boise (BOI)
• Boston (BOS)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Cancun (CUN)
• Charleston (CHS)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Chicago (MDW)
• Cincinnati (CVG)
• Cleveland (CLE)
• Columbus (CMH)
• Dallas (DAL)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
• Dayton (DAY)
• Denver (DEN)
• Des Moines (DSM)
• Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS)
• Detroit (DTW)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Fort Myers (RSW)
• Grand Rapids (GRR)
• Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP)
• Hartford (BDL)
• Houston (HOU)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Jacksonville (JAX)
• Kansas City (MCI)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Long Beach (LGB)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Memphis (MEM)
• Miami (MIA)
• Milwaukee (MKE)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• Nashville (BNA)
• New Orleans (MSY)
• New York (LGA)
• New York (JFK)
• Norfolk (ORF)
• Oakland (OAK)
• Oklahoma City (OKC)
• Omaha (OMA)
• Ontario (ONT)
• Orange County (SNA)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Orlando (SFB)
• Panama City (ECP)
• Pensacola (PNS)
• Peoria (PIA)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Pittsburgh (PIT)
• Portland (PDX)
• Providence (PVD)
• Punta Gorda (PGD)
• Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
• Richmond (RIC)
• Sacramento (SMF)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)
• San Antonio (SAT)
• San Diego (SAN)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• San Jose (SJC)
• San Juan (SJU)
• Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ)
• Seattle/Tacoma (SEA)
• St Louis (STL)
• St Petersburg (PIE)
• Syracuse (SYR)
• Tampa (TPA)
• Tupelo (TUP)
• Washington (DCA)
• West Palm Beach (PBI)

Allegiant (27 destinations)

• Albany (ALB)
• Asheville (AVL)
• Austin (AUS)
• Baltimore (BWI)
• Bangor (BGR)
• Burlington (BTV)
• Chicago (MDW)
• Cincinnati (CVG)
• Columbus (CMH)
• Daytona Beach (DAB)
• Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS)
• Detroit (DTW)
• El Paso (ELP)
• Fargo (FAR)
• Flint (FNT)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Fort Myers (RSW)
• Grand Rapids (GRR)
• Harrisburg (MDT)
• Houston (HOU)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Jacksonville (JAX)
• Kansas City (MCI)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Memphis (MEM)
• Milwaukee (MKE)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• Myrtle Beach (MYR)
• New Orleans (MSY)
• New York (JFK)
• Norfolk (ORF)
• Oklahoma City (OKC)
• Omaha (OMA)
• Orlando (SFB)
• Pensacola (PNS)
• Phoenix (AZA)
• Pittsburgh (PIT)
• Portland (PDX)
• Providence (PVD)
• Raleigh/Durham (RDU)

Frequently asked questions