RSW Expansion Enters Final Year of Construction
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RSW expansion enters final year of construction
Nov 2, 2026
By JACK PENNEY
3 min read
JACK PENNEY
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) invited local media outlets to tour its $1 billion, 14-gate expansion project on Oct. 29.
Southwest Florida International Airport showcases progress on Concourse E
According to Stephen Hennigan, CEO and executive director of RSW, the increasing traffic in the Southwest Florida region prompted the expansion.
"I think this project and the growth at our airport really shows the state of our region, all of Southwest Florida," Hennigan said. "It’s the businesses that are coming here. It’s the people that want to vacation here. This facility is that conduit between all of those people... not only in the United States, but globally."
During the tour, Hennigan noted the new concourse will not differ stylistically from the existing three concourses, maintaining a familiar look and feel while updating facilities.
Key features of the expansion:
- Concourse E: Will include a TSA Checkpoint with up to nine lanes and access to all other concourses (B, C, and D). It will also feature a dedicated United Airlines club.
- Renovations: Existing concourses B and D have undergone concessions renovations, with Concourse C set to follow.
- Demand: RSW is experiencing record travel demand, with over 1.5 million passengers in March and 1 million seats in October. Hennigan projects Concourse E will open in late 2027, once finish work is complete.
Emphasizing convenience, Hennigan stressed RSW's commitment to maintaining a flexible and accessible guest experience despite its expansion.
"Most of our passengers fly through a large airport, which is vastly different than our size and scope," Hennigan said. "There’s not many airports that you can park right across the way, get your rental car right across the way; you don’t have to take a bus to it...”