This service will be the first time that an airline has offered flights throughout the entire year to the capital of the Dominican Republic.

Flights are scheduled to begin June 18, 2027. Breeze will operate the new route twice per week on Fridays and Mondays aboard an Airbus A220-300 aircraft. With the addition of SDQ, this will be Breeze's sixth international destination from America's Favorite Airport.

“What a thrill it has been to watch Breeze's rapid growth at TPA," TPA Director of Air Service Development Alex Heiter said. “By adding another international nonstop flight, the airline continues to increase its commitment to TPA and will soon offer Tampa Bay travelers another easy way to reach the Dominican Republic.”

“We continue to see great demand for our high-value, low-cost model in Tampa, and our continued growth there is an example of just that,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ founder and CEO. “This new travel option to Santo Domingo will give Tampa another option to come fly Breeze when they want to take that next trip.”

Of note, Santo Domingo will be the second Dominican Republic destination that Breeze has launched this year from Tampa International Airport. The airline began nonstop service to Punta Cana (PUJ) on July 2, 2026.

The new route's schedule:

Tickets to Santo Domingo are on sale now. Go to www.flybreeze.com to purchase tickets.

Tampa International Airport will welcome its first-ever Dunkin' location, scheduled to open later in October. This new addition to TPA's Concessions offerings will be located on the south end of the Rental Car Center, near Remote Bag Check.

Dunkin' is known for its coffee and donuts, and the new TPA location will open with those fan favorites. Grab-and-go items, like sandwiches and salads, will also be available nearby at an extension of The Beach Market.

“We're thrilled to bring Dunkin' to Tampa International Airport,” TPA Director of Airport Concessions Stacey Nance said. “This is a high-demand national brand and exactly the kind of amenity our travelers have told us they're looking for at America's Favorite Airport.”

Whether picking up a rental car on arrival or dropping one off before a flight, TPA's travelers will soon have another convenient way to fuel up.

In addition to being able to obtain or sell foreign currency, travelers also can now purchase Florida Lottery tickets. Currency Exchange International also plans to add a 24/7 ATM and other business services in the coming weeks.

"We're excited to bring Currency Exchange International to TPA, especially since they offer an amenity our travelers have been asking for since our last provider closed in 2020," said Stacey Nance, Director of Airport Concessions. "This partnership allows us to offer a convenient, one-stop service for currency exchange and other travel essentials right in the heart of our Main Terminal."

The new location is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition to Best Large Airport, TPA is also nominated for Best Airport for Dining, with two of its restaurants, Café by Mise en Place and Cigar City Brewing, competing for Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant. Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria is also in the running for Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food. New this year, The Gasparilla Bar at TPA’s Airside F has been nominated for Best Airport Bar.

A panel of industry experts and editors at USA TODAY selected the nominees in each category.

Now it’s up to the public to decide which airport and restaurants are their favorites. Voting is open until Monday, Oct. 5 at noon, and fans of TPA can vote once a day in each category until polls close. The top 10 winners are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

For the past two years, TPA has ranked No. 1 Best Large Airport in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. Last year, it also earned the No. 1 Best Airport for Dining title, with Airside C’s Bavaro’s, Cigar City Brewing, and Ulele, all Tampa Bay-area concepts, each ranking among the nation’s 10 best in the Airport Grab-and-Go Food or Airport Sit-Down Restaurant categories. This is the first year TPA has been nominated in the Best Airport Bar category.

Click below to vote for TPA and your favorite airport bar or restaurant in each category:

• Best Large Airport
• Best Airport for Art
• Best Airport for Dining
• Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant
• Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food
• Best Airport Bar

Travelers awaiting an interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer to complete their enrollment for the Global Entry program will have a chance to schedule a slot at a special five-day event at Tampa International Airport this month.

This is the first CBP mass-enrollment event at TPA this year and will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday, August 24, through Friday, August 28, in TPA’s Main Terminal Event Space on Level 3 between the shuttles for Airsides E and F.

Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved may schedule the interview portion of the process to complete their enrollment in the program. Applicants may select “Tampa International Event Space” as their interview location.

This event is also open to those who have “pending” Global Entry status or walk-ups who need help with their application. CBP officers will assist when they have availability to do so.

Global Entry is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler programs, which provide modified screening and expedited clearance for approved members.

Those travelers may skip Customs lines when returning to the U.S. from abroad, using automated kiosks at eligible airports to complete their arrival procedure. Approved Global Entry travelers also are enrolled in the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program. Enrollment in Global Entry must be renewed after five years.

To apply for Global Entry, travelers should go to CBP's website: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Applicants must first undergo a rigorous background check, then must complete an in-person interview. Scheduling these interviews can often take weeks or even months, as the number of enrollment center locations offering interview times is limited.

After the application is complete and travelers have paid the fee, they will receive an email telling them they are conditionally approved and be directed to make an appointment with a Global Entry office. Those who have already scheduled a future interview date may reschedule the interview to the five-day event if they prefer to speed up the process.

CBP officers will be in place to conduct interviews during the enrollment event, with the officers working to accommodate multiple interviews every 10 minutes. That means approximately 1,200 potential interview slots are available during the five-day TPA event.

Conditionally approved Global Entry applicants who miss this opportunity may still take advantage of CBP’s Enrollment on Arrival interview process. Applicants may complete their required interviews upon their return from international travel at participating airports.

For more information about this event, please contact CBP by using this email: TampaTTPinformation@cbp.dhs.gov. 

[Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection]

Phoebe's 4th “Bird-thday” bash: Travelers flying in or out on the big day can catch Phoebe's birthday celebration in person from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. Featuring a flamingo stilt walker, a steel drum player, and a custom birthday cake, this day-of celebration is a little something extra for passengers already making their way through the TPA that day.

A few other happenings are also planned on August 25:

• The Shoppes at Bayshore: From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., this location will feature local-artist face painting and flamingo-shaped balloon art.
• Dylan's Candy Bar: Travelers can enjoy a complimentary pink flamingo gummy sample and limited-edition sticker, while supplies last.
• Mindworks: Passengers who purchase an Asobu Bestie Bottle can enjoy free custom name etching, while supplies last.
• P.F. Chang's: Hungry for something pink? P.F. Chang's will offer complimentary pink macarons and mini pink cupcakes, while supplies last. And, they'll also offer custom face painting!

The celebration doesn't stop there. Phoebe's birthday month kicked off August 1 and runs all the way through August 31, with special happenings taking place throughout TPA. From custom punch at several restaurants to flamingo straws at Qdoba to cake pops at TPA's Café con Leche and Buddy Brew locations, be sure to be on the lookout for special pink items if you stop by participating Airport shops and restaurants during this month.

Since her arrival, Phoebe has become one of the most recognizable and photographed spots at TPA. She's also more recently known for her antics on TPA's social media accounts. This year, her birthday celebration is a chance for the Tampa Bay community — travelers, employees, and locals alike — to celebrate right along with her.