Nashville, Tenn. – The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) today announced a landmark 2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), highlighted by remarkable growth, groundbreaking partnerships and national recognition for both Nashville International Airport®, also known as BNA®, and John C. Tune Airport®, also known as JWN®.
BNA welcomed a record 26.7 million passengers—a 7.7% increase over the previous year and the highest in its history.
“This has been a year defined by bold growth, major investments and partnerships that strengthen our role as a gateway to one of the nation’s most dynamic’s regions,” said MNAA President and CEO Doug Kreulen. “From record passenger activity, new air service and major infrastructure investments, BNA and JWN are positioning Nashville for the future. Our work this year reflects not only the pace of growth in Middle Tennessee, but also our commitment to building airports ready to meet the region’s needs for decades to come.”
Key highlights from BNA’s banner year include:
- New Single-Record: On Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, BNA welcomed 116,047 total passengers.
- Record-breaking Fall Break: 2,550,000 million passengers traveled through BNA in October 2025, a 10% increase over 2024, supported by 13,804 commercial flights.
- New Milestone in Air Service: BNA celebrated 115 nonstop destinations in June 2026—the most in its history.
- Proudly Hosted the 22nd Annual Airport Experience® Conference: The conference drew a record number of attendees from across the country and opened in true Music City fashion with an exclusive opening‑night concert by multi‑platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley.
- New Airline Partner: Welcomed a new airline partner as Porter Airlines launched nonstop service from BNA to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on May 11, 2026, further expanding international connectivity.
As BNA reaches new heights in passenger demand, air service and national visibility, MNAA’s long-term investments are just as impactful. Through New Horizon, BNA’s $3 billion construction and renovation program, the airport is delivering major infrastructure upgrades to support 40 million annual passengers in the future, through initiatives including:
- The grand opening of the Concourse D extension, the first project completed under New Horizon, unveiling:
- Five new gates adding even more space and options to travelers
- Five new locations to eat and drink
- Three new retailers to buy gifts with that signature Nashville flair
- Four unique, original pieces of artwork
- A moving walkway
- An outdoor terrace with views of ramp activities and downtown
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Concourse D extension LEED Silver status in recognition of its sustainable design, energy efficient systems and thoughtful, environmentally responsible construction.
- The closure of Concourse A: Now under complete demolition and reconstruction, the new concourse—opening July 2028—will feature 16 gates, significantly expanded facilities, new concessions, improved amenities and upgraded passenger spaces including an outdoor terrace and mezzanine‑level airline lounges.
- American Airlines has announced they will open a brand-new, expanded Admirals Club® lounge when the new Concourse A opens in 2028.
- Central Ramp Expansion: Surpassed 1 million cubic yards of fill embanked toward the project’s 1.1 million‑cubic‑yard total—equivalent to moving roughly 300 dump truck loads each day, with one unloaded every four minutes. This progress underscores the scale and momentum of the work, which will ultimately create additional capacity for aircraft movement, overnight parking and deicing.
- New Rental Car Facility & Parking Garage: Began construction on the six-story, 3.5-million-square-foot facility that will accommodate 4,700 rental vehicles and include a new 3,000-space parking garage.
- Central Core Enhancement: Launched a $40 million, 18‑month renovation to expand the entrance areas and increase elevator and escalator capacity to improve vertical circulation and passenger flow.
We also shared a look ahead at what comes after New Horizon—Over the Horizon, which includes early plans for Terminal II, a transformative phase designed to support decades of future growth at BNA. Discover more HERE.
Following major advancements at BNA, MNAA also celebrated a standout year for John C. Tune Airport, which continues to strengthen its role as one of Tennessee’s busiest general aviation airports.
In FY26, JWN supported 18,547 jet operations and uplifted 3.8 million gallons of fuel—record‑breaking year‑over‑year increases of 7.5% and 11.5%, respectively. Additional accomplishments include:
- Record Fall Break Activity: Fall Break 2025 brought 1,954 business jet operations, and fuel delivery in October 2025 climbed to 389,942 gallons – a 9.3% increase over the previous record that was set in October 2024.
- MNPD Aviation Unit Hangar: The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) opened its state‑of‑the‑art hangar at JWN, enhancing safety, operational capacity and regional partnership.
This year, MNAA marked a number of celebrations, launches, accolades and community initiatives, including:
- Celebrated the one‑year anniversaries of our partnerships with Aer Lingus and Icelandair, marking a successful first year of nonstop service to Dublin and Reykjavík and expanding BNA’s international reach.
- Launched GoodMaps, an indoor navigation app designed to support individuals who are blind or have low vision, providing accessible wayfinding throughout the terminal and enhancing independence for all travelers.
- Held a check presentation ceremony for the beneficiaries of our 2025 BNA® 5K on the Runway:
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- Musicians On Call
- Nashville State Community College
- Hosted our 29th Annual BNA® Aviation Golf Classic and check presentations benefiting:
- Japan America Society of Tennessee – Cherry Blossom Festival
- The 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
- Susan G. Koman® Foundation
- Parkinson’s Foundation Tennessee and Kentucky Chapter
- Hosted our annual Business Taking Off Conference achieving record attendance and vendor participation while showcasing new opportunities tied to BNA’s ongoing growth.
- Celebrated 40 years of partnership with Southwest Airlines®, commemorating a long-standing collaboration that has helped fuel BNA’s growth and strengthen Nashville’s air service network.
- Presented with the following awards and recognitions:
- CEO Accolades – President and CEO Doug Kreulen received two distinct honors this year, earning the prestigious Apollo Award at PRSA Nashville’s 39th Parthenon Awards and being named among the Nashville Business Journal’s 2025 C-Suite Award recipients.
- Best In-House Team – MNAA’s Communications Team took home “Best In-House Team” in the Government Category at the PRSA Nashville Chapter’s 39th Parthenon Awards, while also receiving recognition for numerous other outstanding campaigns that elevated the airport’s brand and community engagement.
- Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame – Former Board Chair, the late Bill Freeman, was posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.
- J.D. Power Airport Satisfaction Ranking – BNA was ranked #7 among large airports in North America in the 2025 J.D. Power rankings for overall customer satisfaction—an incredible milestone that reflects our dedication to providing a world-class experience for every traveler.
- Airport Experience® Awards
- Airport with the Best Overall Concessions Program – BNA was recognized for offering a diverse mix of food, retail and service options that meet the needs of today’s travelers.
- Airport with the Best Program Design – BNA was recognized for its visually striking and thoughtfully designed concessions environment, which blends aesthetics, flow and functionality. The airport’s design approach creates a sense of place that is uniquely Nashville while ensuring an efficient and enjoyable traveler journey.
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting: MNAA earned its 25th consecutive year of recognition for excellence in financial reporting for the FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
- USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
- #1 – Best Airport for Shopping (three consecutive years)
- #1 – Best Airport Bar (The Titans Press Box)
- #2 – Best Large Airport
- #2 – Best Airport Grab-And-Go Food (400 Degrees Hot Chicken)
- #3 – Best Airport for Art
- AirHelp Score Report: With annual rankings based on on-time performance, service quality, facilities, shopping and dining options, and overall comfort, AirHelp scored BNA in the top 10 globally for both facilities and comfort (#4) and passenger experience (#10). BNA ranked #7 overall in the U.S.
- Sports-friendly airport: BNA ranked #9 among the most sports-fan-friendly airports by BetUs.
