Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is on pace to hit 80 million visitors in 2023 after surpassing pre-pandemic traveler levels multiple times over the summer.
DFW airport — the second-busiest commercial airport in the world — is forecast to experience record growth over the next decade as businesses and developers bring new opportunities and investment to the North Texas region.
“DFW Airport is an incredible asset driving the economic activity for our entire metro area, which is the fourth largest and fastest growing in the country. Since I became mayor, DFW has become the second-busiest airport in the world, supporting over 634,000 jobs across our region,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with the other members of the Board of Directors and the Airport’s leadership to further position DFW for continued growth and success.”
To accommodate the growing number of travelers who pass through the airport each year, DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue said it must expand apace with the region. To accomplish this, the airport is working with American Airlines on a nearly $5 billion airport expansion that includes the construction of Terminal F and enhancements to Terminal C, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The expansion is expected to kick off in 2024, with construction on Terminal C projected to start early next year, followed by the construction of Terminal F toward the end of the year.
“Increasing population requires infrastructure to accommodate the needs of both current residents and prospective newcomers,” Donohue said Monday during a 2023 State of the Airport address, per The Dallas Morning News.
“This project not only reflects our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our passengers but also signifies our commitment to remaining at the forefront of the aviation industry,” he said, reported the Fort Worth Report.
During Monday’s address, Donohue provided an update on the airport’s economic impact study, which was conducted by the Perryman Group and last updated in 2015, per a DFW Airport news release.
According to the study, visitor spending since 2015 has increased 24.7% ($19.2 billion to $23.96 billion), while the number of jobs the airport supports grew 25% (508,272 to 634,789).
Additionally, estimates by the Perryman Group show that annual tax receipts generated via airport operations and passenger spending led to roughly $7.1 billion in federal taxes, $3.1 billion in state taxes, and nearly $2 billion in local taxes.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker attributes much of her city’s growth to the traffic coming through DFW airport, and with the upcoming terminal expansions, she anticipates even more growth for the region.
“Airports are not just gateways to the world, they are gateways for our community’s prosperity and progress,” Parker said in the news release. “DFW’s success as a job creator and economic engine is connecting our region to global audiences and enhancing economic opportunities for our businesses and residents alike.”
As part of the State of the Airport event, DFW unveiled new video renderings of Terminal C and the forthcoming Terminal F.
