Quotes of note: According to the news release, Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom gathered at DFW Airport on May 16 for a special signing ceremony of the use and lease agreement. Here's what they had to say:
- “Our region will become the nation’s third-largest metro region within the next 10 years, and it’s no surprise that we have the second-busiest airport in the world,” Parker said. “Today’s agreement ensures DFW Airport is ready for the future and to continue serving as Fort Worth’s gateway to the world.”
- “As a growing, international city, Dallas takes great pride in its partnerships with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and American Airlines,” Johnson said. “Signing the new use and lease agreement is one step to ensure our region remains well-positioned to thrive in the future.”
- "The use and lease agreement not only creates a predictable and equitable business model for DFW Airport, but it also underscores the commitment of the airport and our airline partners to provide passengers with the best possible travel experience," Donohue said. "Our partnership with American Airlines, our largest airline, is stronger than ever.”
- “American [Airlines] is proud to call North Texas home, and DFW is our largest hub and a central gateway to our extensive international and domestic network,” Isom said. “American [Airlines] has led the growth that has propelled DFW [Airport] to become the second-busiest airport in the world, and we are thrilled to have finalized a new lease agreement and capital plan that sets the stage for American [Airlines], DFW and the North Texas region to continue to grow for years to come.”
A closer look: According to the news release, the use and lease agreement outlines DFW Airport’s major capital projects over the next 10 years. These projects include:
- An estimated $2.72 billion for the expansion of the central terminal area, including a major reimagining of Terminal C, “pier” expansions off Terminal A and Terminal C, and significant upgrades to roadways and terminal access
- An estimated $1.63 billion for the construction of a new Terminal F—featuring a 15-gate concourse—that will provide state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including modernized baggage handling, expanded concessions and additional passenger gates to accommodate the growing demand for air travel
The new use and lease agreement replaces the 2010 agreement—which expired in 2020 and was extended during the pandemic—and maintains many of the same business arrangements as the prior version, according to the news release.
