Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is in the middle of one of the biggest upgrades in its history. The “topping-off” of the new Concourse B in October 2025 marked the moment the last steel girder went into place – the structural skeleton is now complete, and the focus shifts to building out the interior.
When the concourse opens (currently targeted for late 2026), JAX will add six new gates, more restaurants and shops, upgraded security, and a major new parking garage. All of this is a response to rapid growth in passenger numbers and the region’s booming business and tourism scene.
As a local limousine and car service based just minutes from the airport, Unique Corporate Limos has a front-row seat to these changes. We’re excited about what this expansion will do for Jacksonville, Florida – and we’re already helping frequent flyers, families, and visitors navigate construction, parking changes, and new traffic patterns in a smoother, less stressful way.
Why Jacksonville International Airport Is Expanding: Growth, Crowds, and Future Demand
This expansion didn’t appear out of nowhere. JAX’s Concourse B has been on the drawing board for years, delayed by the Great Recession and the pandemic. Now passenger numbers are back up and growing again, and the airport is feeling that pressure in every part of the terminal.
Key reasons JAX is investing in Concourse B and related projects include:
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Rising passenger numbers – JAX has returned to and exceeded pre-recession levels, with millions of travelers passing through each year. That means fuller flights, more crowded gates, and more cars in the parking garages.
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Limited gate space – Before this project, JAX had 20 gates split between Concourses A and C. Airlines sometimes had to wait with aircraft on the ground for a gate to open, which nobody enjoys.
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Bottlenecks at security and parking – The airport has highlighted the need to expand the security checkpoint and add a third parking garage to keep up with demand and reduce congestion.
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Regional growth – Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are adding residents, businesses, and visitors. Airport officials have repeatedly linked the project to long-term growth in the region, not just short-term flight additions.
For everyday travelers, that growth shows up as packed departure areas, busy rental car counters, and parking lots hitting capacity during holidays and big events like THE PLAYERS Championship. For local ground-transportation companies like Unique Corporate Limos, it means planning for earlier pickups, longer airport queues, and more demand for reliable JAX airport transfers at all hours.
Inside the New Concourse B at JAX: Gates, Space, Amenities, and Design
The new Concourse B is much more than a hallway with extra gates. It’s a three-level expansion designed to extend the current terminal and give JAX a more modern, flexible layout.
From publicly available plans and design documents, here’s what’s coming:
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Six new gates – The concourse adds six passenger gates to the existing 20, bringing JAX up to 26 gates. Five of those gates are expected to be leased by American Airlines, with one for general airport use.
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Three levels, roughly 165,000+ square feet – Concourse B is planned as a three-level facility with around 165,000 square feet of space, including hold rooms (gate waiting areas), concessions, and support areas.
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A central concession hub – The concourse connects at the intersection of Concourses A and C, with a large concession area featuring multiple food and retail tenants, more seating, and room for two clubs on an upper level.
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Brighter, more open design – Design renderings show an open connector bridge with lots of natural light, new flooring, and updated wayfinding signage to make it easier to move between concourses. There’s also planned space for art and museum-style displays that reflect Northeast Florida.
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More space to sit and work – The gate areas are being designed with extra seating and room for future lounges and restaurants, aiming to reduce the “nowhere to sit” problem that’s common at peak times today.
The price tag for the concourse alone is in the $300–$340 million range, depending on which phase and figure you look at. Whatever the exact number, it’s a serious, long-term investment intended to give JAX more room to grow and make the terminal experience calmer and more efficient.
For travelers, the main takeaway is simple: more gates, more space, and a less cramped feel once the project is complete.
Security Checkpoint, Parking Garage, and JAX Access: How Getting to the Airport Will Change
Concourse B is the headline, but it’s part of a larger program of upgrades that affect how you arrive at and move through the airport.
1. Security checkpoint expansion
A major piece of the project is the expansion of the main security checkpoint area:
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The upgraded checkpoint will cover a much larger footprint than today’s, increasing from roughly a few lanes to a layout designed for up to nine lanes.
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New screening technology and a redesigned flow are intended to move passengers more quickly and smoothly.
For travelers, that should eventually mean shorter lines and less spillover into the main terminal during peaks. During construction, though, there can be temporary detours and reconfigured queuing areas that feel a bit confusing – something local drivers and car services already plan for when scheduling airport drop-offs.
2. New six-story parking garage and economy lots
The expansion also includes a substantial parking overhaul:
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A new six-story parking garage adding roughly 2,000–2,400 spaces, designed to open ahead of or alongside Concourse B and connected to the existing garages.
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Changes to rental car pickup and return to reduce traffic right in front of the terminal and streamline circulation.
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Additional economy surface parking, including several hundred new spaces, to help during busy seasons and holiday travel.
In the short term, all this construction means lane shifts, closed sections of the existing hourly or daily garage at different times, and busier curbside areas. In the long term, it should significantly relieve some of the parking crunch that regular JAX travelers complain about today.
Many frequent flyers are already choosing to bypass parking altogether by using Jacksonville airport limo or JAX black car services, or private transfers from home, hotels, or offices. For companies like Unique Corporate Limos, this means carefully tracking which garage levels or pickup zones are open, adjusting routes for construction, and making sure clients don’t have to guess where to meet their ride.
3. Overall “JAX Beyond” improvements
These projects are all part of a broader improvement program often referred to as JAX’s next phase or “beyond” initiative, which includes:
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Concourse B with six new gates
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Security checkpoint expansion and new checkpoint design
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A third parking garage and expanded economy parking
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A refreshed mix of restaurants and shops with more local and national brands
The airport has been clear that there will be some “growing pains” during construction – including restaurant closures, construction walls, and shifting walking paths – but the goal is a more comfortable, modern, and efficient airport once the work is complete.
What the JAX Expansion Means for Local Travelers, Visitors, and Ground Transportation
When you zoom out, Concourse B and its related projects mean a few big things for the community:
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More flexibility and fewer delays – With additional gates, JAX can schedule more flights without stacking aircraft on the tarmac waiting for an open spot. That can reduce delays and make connections more predictable.
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Room for new routes – With more gate capacity, airlines have greater flexibility to add service. American Airlines is expected to use much of the new space, and airport leaders have mentioned potential for more service to the Caribbean, Mexico, and additional domestic routes.
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Better experience inside the terminal – More restrooms, more seating, more dining options, and brighter, more open concourse design should make it easier to relax, work, or entertain kids while you wait for your flight.
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More jobs and local economic impact – Construction alone has already accounted for significant labor hours, and the new concourse will create additional airport, airline, retail, and restaurant jobs once it opens.
For ground transportation providers—taxis, shuttles, rideshare, and professional limousine and car services—these changes shift how people use the airport:
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Some travelers will park further away and rely more on shuttles.
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Others will decide they’d rather not deal with parking at all and book door-to-door service.
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Late-night and early-morning flights, common on expanding schedules, drive more demand for reliable pre-booked rides rather than hoping for last-minute availability.
Unique Corporate Limos fits into this picture as one of the local options for private, pre-arranged transportation—especially for business travelers, resort guests, long-distance transfers (like Tallahassee, Sea Island, Gainesville, or Orlando), and families who want a predictable ride during construction and beyond. Our chauffeurs are already navigating the current changes daily so travelers don’t have to worry about which lane is open, where to park, or how far they’ll have to walk with luggage.
Overall, the bigger story is that JAX itself is growing up: more gates, more amenities, and a layout designed to handle the next decade of growth in Northeast Florida.
FAQs: Jacksonville Airport Expansion, Concourse B, and Getting To and From JAX
1. What exactly is being built at Jacksonville International Airport right now?
JAX is building a new Concourse B with six additional gates, plus related projects: an expanded TSA security checkpoint, a new multi-level parking garage with thousands of new spaces, more economy parking, and an updated mix of restaurants and shops.
2. When will the new Concourse B at JAX open?
Construction began in 2024, and the concourse is expected to open in late 2026, roughly a little over a year after the topping-off milestone celebrated in October 2025.
3. How many new gates is Jacksonville International Airport getting?
Concourse B will add six new passenger gates to the existing 20, bringing the total gate count at JAX to 26. Most of the new gates are expected to be used by American Airlines.
4. Why is JAX adding a third concourse now?
The project was delayed in the past due to economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic, but passenger volumes have rebounded and the existing concourses are crowded. Jacksonville and the surrounding region are growing, and the airport needs more gate capacity, more seating, and better amenities to support that growth.
5. Will there be new restaurants and shops in the expanded terminal?
Yes. The new concourse and central concession hub are planned to include additional food and retail tenants, along with potential club spaces on an upper level. JAX is gradually re configuring existing dining options as part of the overall expansion.
6. How will parking change at JAX because of the expansion?
The airport is adding a sizeable new parking garage near the existing structures, along with more economy parking spaces. The goal is to ease current shortages and rework rental car pickup and return so there is less traffic at the front of the terminal. During construction, travelers should expect some lane shifts and temporary closures.
7. Will the security screening process at Jacksonville Airport improve?
That’s the plan. The security checkpoint is being expanded to a much larger footprint with more lanes and updated equipment. The design is intended to handle higher passenger volumes, reduce bottlenecks, and make the screening area brighter, more open, and easier to navigate.
8. How will the JAX expansion affect people being dropped off or picked up at the airport?
During construction, there may be detours, changes in which lanes are open, and busier curbside zones. Once the new garage and concourse are complete, traffic flow should become more organized with clearer separation between private cars, rental vehicles, shuttles, and commercial transport. Many travelers choose to avoid driving and parking entirely by arranging a car service or limousine pickup instead.
9. What role do local limousine and car services play during the JAX expansion?
Local companies like Unique Corporate Limos help travelers adapt to the changes on the ground. By tracking construction impacts, gate changes, and updated pickup zones, a professional car service can offer door-to-door transfers without clients having to worry about parking availability or navigating detours—especially for early-morning and late-night flights that are more common as schedules expand.
10. I’m flying into JAX for business or vacation. Should I change anything about how I plan my trip?
A few smart tweaks can make your trip smoother while construction is underway:
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Build in a little extra time for security and traffic near the terminal.
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Check the latest airport updates before you travel for information on parking and dining.
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Consider pre-arranged transportation—whether that’s a hotel shuttle, rental car, or a local car service such as Unique Corporate Limos—so you’re not hunting for a ride or parking spot after a long flight.
Overall, the Jacksonville airport expansion is a sign of a growing region and a more connected city. There will be some short-term construction headaches, but by the time Concourse B and the new garage fully open, travelers should see a more spacious, efficient JAX—and an easier experience getting in and out of Northeast Florida.
