DFW Airport to get new Terminal F and new gates

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas - In a landmark decision indicative of the enduring vitality of air travel, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is forging ahead with the development of an eagerly anticipated sixth passenger terminal, while simultaneously undertaking a comprehensive revamp of the rather time-worn Terminal C, according to a report by Metro Dallas News.

The airport, in conjunction with American Airlines, unveiled on Tuesday an ambitious portfolio of projects amounting to an astounding $4.8 billion, designed to unfold progressively over the ensuing decade. This considerable investment will serve to augment the airport's capacity, with an additional 24 gates being distributed across three separate terminals.

The inaugural phase of this grand scheme, estimated at a hefty $1.6 billion, involves the construction of the brand-new Terminal F, equipped with an initial concourse of 15 gates. The commencement of construction is slated for late 2024, with an expected completion date by 2026. The location chosen for the new terminal, ensconced to the south of Terminal D, offers ample scope for future expansion, with potential for additional gates to be incorporated as and when required.

This novel development marks the first construction of a new terminal at DFW since the early years of the millennium. The last significant addition was the unveiling of the $1.2 billion Terminal D back in 2005, which holds the distinction of being the largest international terminal erected in the post-9/11 era. This was a major milestone in the history of the airport, and the forthcoming Terminal F promises to be another significant advancement, highlighting the airport's commitment to maintaining its status as a prominent hub of international travel.

Existing terminals will be upgraded

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its capacity and operational efficiency, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has earmarked an impressive $2.7 billion for the purpose of both extending and modernizing Terminals A and C.

Terminal C, which has largely remained untouched since the airport's inception in 1973, is now slated for a comprehensive transformation. This 'reimagination' will incorporate significant improvements in both roadways and terminal accessibility. The refurbishment of Terminal C will be executed over an estimated three to four phases, with the ultimate culmination envisaged for 2028.

This decision to expand DFW is rooted in the extraordinary growth witnessed by the Metroplex, which has been instrumental in escalating the demand for an expanded airport. With the airport's current standing as the second busiest worldwide, and its geographical expanse surpassing even that of Manhattan, the necessity for growth is palpable.

American Airlines' CEO, Robert Isom, underscored DFW's central role in the airline's operations, referring to it as the pivotal gateway underpinning all their domestic and international activities. The Fort Worth-based airline has been steadily broadening its global footprint, recently augmenting its daily service to European destinations by adding two additional flights to Dublin and Rome.

This brings their total daily service to 12 flights to Europe. In a nod to the recovery from the pandemic's peak in 2020, American announced in December that it would restore its nonstop service to Tokyo. Furthermore, during the winter months, American has maintained seasonal flights to New Zealand.

“We want to be the busiest airport in the world,” Isom said. “As you can see, we’re building the foundation to do that, both in the facilities and also out in the airfield.”

DFW International Airport, a bustling hub of global travel, is poised to welcome a staggering 78 million wanderers this year alone. Sean Donohue, the astute CEO, envisions an even loftier ambition: a breathtaking target of serving an annual passenger count of 100 million within the fast-approaching horizon of six to seven years.

Embracing the era of digital transformation, DFW is also charting a path towards completely digitizing the forthcoming Terminal F facility during its construction phase. Donohue disclosed to the Star-Telegram that the digital overlay would pivot the airport's operations from a reactive to a predictive modus operandi, thereby enabling early detection of potential mechanical or plumbing complications.

The allocation of airlines to Terminal F, however, still remains a matter of deliberation. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, American Airlines, the most predominant carrier at DFW, might not be the sole occupant of this new terminal space.

The blueprint for Terminal F was initially unveiled in 2019, but global events forced its temporary suspension. At the inception of this grand plan, DFW and American had secured a preliminary agreement to erect the terminal, encompassing 24 gates as part of a capital improvement package, which was anticipated to accrue a hefty expenditure of $3.5 billion.

American Airlines had initially championed the cause for this new terminal, as a strategic response to the burgeoning demand for both domestic and international travel, which had been escalating at a dramatic pace. This fervent advocacy, however, was abruptly halted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which instigated a global cessation of travel and grounded a significant proportion of American's flight paths, including nearly all of their international routes and a minimum of 60% of their domestic routes.