Jacksonville International Airport’s new Concourse B remains on schedule for a December 2026 opening

Six additional gates and new passenger amenities are planned as JAX prepares for continued growth

Construction of a new Concourse B at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is progressing on a schedule that targets an opening during December 2026, timed to coincide with peak holiday travel. The project is designed to add six gates and expand passenger services inside the secure area of the terminal, addressing higher traffic levels recorded over the past several years.

The new concourse is being built between the airport’s existing Concourses A and C. Plans call for a multi-level structure with airline gates and passenger hold rooms, plus added concessions and support facilities. The concourse has been described by project representatives as a major capacity expansion for the airport’s current terminal footprint.

Project scope, cost and funding

Concourse B is a roughly $340 million construction project. Work began in 2024 and has continued through 2025 and early 2026, with milestones that include structural completion and ongoing interior buildout. The concourse is part of a broader set of airport improvements that also includes a new parking garage and airfield-related work intended to support future airline operations.

Publicly described funding for the concourse has included aviation-related federal sources supported by airline ticket taxes and aviation trust fund mechanisms, alongside airport authority funding and other transportation-related grants used across airport capital programs.

Airlines, gates and passenger flow

The expansion adds six gates to the airport’s existing gate inventory. Airport planning documents and project briefings have indicated that most of the new gate capacity is expected to support American Airlines operations, with remaining gate flexibility reserved for other flights as needed. The design has also been presented as expandable, allowing for additional gates in the future if demand warrants it.

Operationally, the facility is planned to support common airport boarding methods, including the ability to board passengers at grade in certain circumstances. Airport officials have also stated that no moving walkways are planned for the new concourse.

Amenities and building features

Concourse B is expected to include new dining and retail options, along with passenger-focused features such as family seating areas and a pet relief area. A notable building-system element discussed during construction updates is the use of electrochromic glass designed to automatically tint in bright conditions to reduce heat and glare inside the concourse.

In addition to concessions on the main passenger level, the project has included space for airline lounge facilities on an upper level, reflecting broader trends at mid-sized U.S. airports to expand premium passenger services as flight schedules and customer demand evolve.

Related construction: new parking capacity near the terminal

Alongside the concourse, airport-related construction has included a new parking garage planned to add about 2,000 spaces near the terminal. The garage project has been presented as a response to rising passenger volumes and associated vehicle demand. Plans have also included changes to rental car pickup and return patterns intended to reduce congestion near terminal roadways.

• Target opening window for Concourse B: December 2026
• New gates planned: 6, with future expansion potential
• Major related landside project: additional parking garage with approximately 2,000 spaces

With the December 2026 target, the project is positioned to add gate capacity ahead of the year-end holiday travel surge.

Airport officials have linked the expansion to sustained growth in passenger traffic at JAX, including record totals reported in recent years. The combination of additional gates, updated concessions and expanded landside access is intended to reduce crowding, improve passenger circulation and provide flexibility for airlines to add frequencies and destinations.