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New destinations from American Airlines and Contour Airlines have started at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is investing in upgrades at the airport, while the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is running a trial at DFW Airport.
American Airlines adds routes
Fort Worth-based American Airlines launched international and domestic routes in May and June.
On June 4, American Airlines launched services at Lincoln Airport in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The airline offers nonstop flights twice daily from DFW Airport to Nebraska’s capital city. American Airlines announced the route late last year, according to previous reporting.
American Airlines sent its inaugural flight from Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport in Roanoke, Virginia, to DFW Airport on June 5.
The Fort Worth-based airline will fly from DFW to Roanoke once a day, according to previous reporting.
American Airlines started service to Athens, Greece, and Zurich, Switzerland, on May 21.
Both routes are nonstop and part of 70 daily flights from the United States to the airline’s European network. The flights will be on Boeing 777-300ER or Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, according to a news release.
“New service to Athens and Zurich is a great example of how American continues to invest in its largest hub with even more opportunities to connect to destinations around the world,” Jim Moses, American’s senior vice president of DFW Operations, said in a news release. “We’re also investing in the travel journey with our new 13-bank schedule that sets up our team for success and delivers for our customers—not just at DFW but across our entire airline due to the outsized impact DFW has on our global operation.”
Contour Airlines
A small airport in northeast Missouri will launch flights to and from DFW Airport on Aug. 1.
Contour Airlines, based in Smyrna, Tennessee, will offer flights six days a week—except Saturday—from Kirksville Regional Airport to DFW Airport. Flights from DFW to Kirksville will leave at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at 11:25 a.m. Flights from Kirksville to Dallas will be from 5:10 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on a 30-seat regional jet, according to a news release.
"Adding Dallas-Fort Worth service is an exciting milestone for Contour and for the Kirksville community," Contour Airlines President Sam Munson said in a news release. "This new route significantly expands travel opportunities for residents and businesses throughout the region by connecting Kirksville to one of the largest and most connected airports in the world. Combined with our continued daily Chicago O'Hare service, travelers now have even greater flexibility and access to destinations nationwide."
Federal Aviation Administration investments
The U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $78 million in grants for two projects at DFW Airport.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the FAA will invest $532 million to modernize infrastructure and improve safety. Airports in 43 states were awarded money from the Airport Infrastructure Grants program. DFW Airport will receive $70 million, according to a news release.
The money awarded is the most to any airport. Only three airports received more than $20 million in grants.
In addition, Duffy’s office announced DFW Airport will receive $8 million to modernize 37 terminal restrooms in the existing five terminals to make them more accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, according to a news release.
The funding for this is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act–Airport Terminal Program. According to a news release, Duffy asked airport staff to present projects to the FAA that support family-friendly resources at airports, according to a news release.
New technology
DFW Airport is one of six airports in the U.S. using new camera capture technology.
According to a social media post by Jayson Ahern, area port director of Dallas/Fort Worth for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the goal of the new technology is to streamline the arrival process, making the journey through DFW Airport quicker while maintaining security.
The ongoing trial is through Global Entry. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, Global Entry Touchless Portals is the biometric facial comparison technology used for travelers and border patrol officers to reduce physical touchpoints and expedite member processing. The portals eliminate the need for paper receipts and utilize mobile officer technology to provide a secure, streamlined and touchless experience, according to its website.
Five airports in Texas offer biometric facial comparison technology for entry and exit: DFW Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William B. Hobby Airport in Houston.
