A new concourse, new and renovated restaurants and more parking options are in the works at Jacksonville International Airport.
The $344 million Concourse B will bring a third concourse comprising a six-gate, three-level, 186,733-square-foot expansion at 2400 Yankee Clipper Drive in North Jacksonville.
A $100 million parking garage will add 2,000 spaces next to the existing daily garage.
Each project is expected to take about two years to complete.
“We thank you for your patience over the next couple of years,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority Chair Michelle Bedoya Barnett said May 10 at the Concourse B groundbreaking.
Passenger traffic at JIA hit a record in March due to spring break travelers and The Players Championship tourism, JAA Chief Executive Officer Mark VanLoh said March 25.
Mayor Donna Deegan said that with a rise in both business and leisure travel, coupled with growth in net migration, the airport anticipates an increase in travelers and opportunities.
Concourse B expansion
The airport has one main terminal with two concourses totaling 20 gates, comprising 10 each for Concourse A and Concourse C.
Concourse B is designed as six gates and can add another two to four gates when needed.
After years of delays, Concourse B has been permitted for construction. Work on the development was held up by the Great Recession, the coronavirus pandemic and a federally mandated environmental impact inspection.
Work will begin in July and is scheduled to be completed by December 2026, according to David Jones, JIA’s director of engineering and facilities.
American Airlines will lease five of the gates, relocating from Concourse C. Representatives for the airline declined to comment about the move.
It will include more restaurants and amenities for passengers. A request for proposals will be issued, according to Greg Willis, JAA marketing and public relations manager.
“The opening of the concourse is a sign of growth. It’s a sign of innovation,” Barnett said.
“Jacksonville is on the move.”
Balfour Beatty Construction LLC of Orlando is the construction manager.
Jacobs Engineering is the lead design engineer and Jacksonville-based RS&H Inc. is the subcontractor for the architectural portion.
Concourse B as designed will allow the airport to facilitate 10 million passengers through 2035.
New, renovated and closing restaurants
A second Southern Grounds & Co. coffee shop and Angie’s Subs are local restaurant additions at JIA.
Angie’s began serving subs in Concourse A on Feb. 28. Southern Grounds opened a pre-security location in August 2023. It operates a post-security spot in Concourse A, where it opened in February 2022.
Wine bar and bistro Vino Volo held a ribbon-cutting May 16 to celebrate its reopening after a renovation. It adds the Verdi Market to its footprint. It serves Jacksonville-based Pura Bean Coffee and features full-bottle wine sales, gourmet snacks and healthy grab-and-go offerings.
Willis said the focus on local options reflects a national trend of seeing airports adding choices that highlight their location cities.
“We want people to know that they’re home and they are welcomed,” Barnett said.
Chili’s is also expanding, adding about 50% more space. It is being rebuilt in the central area of the terminal, nearest the entrance to Concourse A. JAA anticipates it will open in the third quarter, which is July-September.
During the construction of Concourse B, JIA’s food court, which is between Concourses A and C, will close. Restaurants there include Starbucks, Firehouse Subs, Sbarro and Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perfect.
Second Firehouse and Starbucks locations operate in Concourse C.
Paradies Lagardère operates Vino Volo. HMSHost operates the rest of the dining areas with Lee Wesley Group.
More parking
Construction on the daily parking garage will start this summer and is scheduled to be completed in June 2026, six months before Concourse B opens for service, Jones said.
He said the design of the garage is 40% complete. The facility, envisioned as six levels, will be west of the existing daily and hourly garages.
A renovated Economy Lot 3 will open Memorial Day weekend north of Economy Lot 1, initially adding 300 parking spaces, Willis said. Over time, it will grow to 800 spaces. Lot 3 has been paved and lighting added.
“Continue to look for changes,” Barnett said.
“The best is yet to come.”
