DFW Airport and American Airlines Announce Plans for New Terminal

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and American Airlines have announced a joint agreement to develop a sixth terminal. The plan also calls for DFW to invest up to $3.5 billion in terminal improvements, including the construction of Terminal F and upgrades to Terminal C.

The design work for Terminal F will begin immediately, and DFW and American will explore several options for the layout of the Terminal F site. It is expected that the details will be finalized as part of a new airlines lease agreement for the airport that is currently being negotiated. The new Terminal F will feature up to 24 new gates, and is expected to be completed as soon as 2025.

“We look forward to accommodating the continued growth of our city and the region through infrastructure improvements and expansion at DFW Airport,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.

“We’re glad to see DFW’s anchor carrier, American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, collaborate with the airport to take this area to new heights. This new terminal will further fuel economic development and job growth in our region.”

The design of Terminal F will utilize innovative technologies to better facilitate the needs of customers, maintain cost efficiencies for airlines, and improve operational performance.

Terminal C, one of the airport’s original terminals, which opened in 1974, is due for a major upgrade over the next few years. Both DFW and American plan to significantly improve the customer experience at Terminal C, bringing it in line with its other newer terminals, for which renovations were completed in 2018, including: redesigned check-in areas, larger security checkpoints, expanded concessions spaces, and improved lighting and flooring.

“This is an exciting day for American and our more than 31,000 team members who call Dallas/Fort Worth home,” said American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker.

“DFW is American’s largest hub and a central gateway to our extensive international and domestic network. The plans we’re announcing today will allow for the continued growth of DFW and ensure the airport remains a premier gateway for American for many more years to come.”

Over the past several years, American has expanded with additional DFW service, and by June 2019, the airline will operate more than 900 daily flights from the airport. In total, customers have access to more than 230 nonstop destinations on American flights from DFW.

“Today’s announcement sets the stage for DFW Airport’s next 50 years. The new Terminal F and the expansion that could follow will provide the region with the growth it needs to compete with international business centers,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport.

“The airport is growing faster than ever, and it needs to keep pace with the Dallas/Fort Worth economy to provide jobs and connections for businesses and families … I want to especially recognize American for its commitment to DFW Airport. We look forward to working together to deliver what will be an efficient, modern terminal with a state-of-the-art customer experience.”

This deal could be huge for the people of Dallas and Fort Worth, as DFW Airport facilitated a record 69 million customers in 2018, and the airport anticipates more passengers and air service to be added in the next two years than in the past two decades. DFW also announced 28 new destinations last year, giving it a larger domestic footprint than any other U.S. airport.

A 2015 economic impact study indicates DFW Airport contributes more than $37 billion to the Dallas/Fort Worth economy, with nearly 60,000 jobs at the airport and more than 228,000 jobs created across the region.

“This is one of the most significant announcements in my eight years as mayor,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “The fact that American Airlines believes in the DFW International Airport board and management enough to make this tremendous investment in the future of the airport is something we should all celebrate. This will further solidify DFW’s standing as one of the best international airports in the world.”