DFW is the world's third-busiest commercial airport for flight operations and with the same landmass as Manhattan Island, the airport's management team has unveiled a plan for 2,428 hectares of prime real estate to be set aside for future development.
The continuing evolution of DFW's land mass will not only contribute to the regional economy in new ways, it will also allow DFW to generate more non-aviation revenue, making it increasingly affordable for airlines to operate at DFW.
"Our primary mission is to continue to operate a world-class airport that serves more than 60 million passengers per year," says John Terrell, vice-president of commercial development at DFW.
"Just as our International Terminal D attracts new air traffic and revenue, these commercial developments will boost tax revenues for our owner cities and local communities and help reduce the cost of running the airport for our airlines, which makes DFW even more competitive in the global travel market."
To achieve its goals of increased development, DFW drew up a comprehensive Land Use Plan to facilitate growth and capitalise on thousands of acres of airport property. Plans include new entertainment, hospitality, retail and restaurant areas, a corporate campus development and rail/transit centres teeming with commercial activity.
The Passport Park, a mixed-use development will accommodate multiple retail plots and approximately 50 hectares of specialty shops totalling some 40,000sqft.
Conveniently located directly in front of the Consolidated Rental Car Center will be the mixed-use Southgate Plaza, a 13-hectare space accommodating drive-throughs and three fast-food eateries with flight information display systems providing up-to-date travel news for patrons.
All of its land development plans are outside of DFW's Central Terminal Area and maintain a safe distance from the airport's seven runways, ensuring there is no impact on aircraft operations.
DFW is already home to a number of airport city developments - in 2001 it launched its first non-aeronautical revenue project, the 173-hectare industrial/warehouse park - the International Commerce Park.
Complementing its visitor experience is the airport's very own award-winning Bear Creek Golf Course. Boasting two championship-calibre courses designed by golf course architect Ted Robinson, the site has been named one of Golf Digest's "Top 50 Resort Courses in America" .
The Bear Creek Office
Park is a gem in the airport's future development plans. Overlooking Bear Creek Golf Course, the complex will include a 728-hectare tract that will accommodate a corporate campus.
A new helicopter blade repair and manufacturing facility was also opened in 2009 by Sikorsky. Meanwhile, a huge expansion project is underway to double the size of existing flight training facilities at Flight Safety Inc to 219,000sqft.
A new 40,000sqft production and distribution centre for Dallas Cowboys Merchandising will be built on a 8.5-hectare plot, ideally situated at the airport environs for easy access to cargo shipping.
With 811 rooms and 92,000sqft of meeting space, the Hyatt Regency DFW, adjacent to Terminal C offers passengers and business clientele the opportunity to meet and relax. Just down the road, the Grand Hyatt DFW features 298 guest rooms and 34,000sqft of meeting space.
The airport's five terminals are well connected via the high-speed train Skylink with an average journey time of five minutes. A major upcoming project is on the horizon in the form of the Dallas Area Rapid Transport (DART) and 'The T' 2012 project.
These rail lines will provide new connections between the Cotton Belt railroad and downtown Dallas and Fort Worth via the Trinity Railway Express. Also in 2012 DART plans to bring light rail through the city of Irving.
Cargo and logistics
Another of the ways in which DFW has succeeded in increasing its revenues is by successfully pursuing a larger slice of the cargo market over the past 18 years.
The cargo segment has grown almost five-fold since 1993, and is now a major source of revenue for the airport, now approaching some $20 million in annual earnings.
DFW's international cargo network now serves 14 major air cargo hubs throughout the world, and its reach to Asian cargo markets is rapidly expanding.
The airport has also designated 1,100 hectares of land for use as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). Additionally, DFW worked closely with the United States Department of Commerce to become one of the first FTZs to adopt new and simplified rules in 2010, making it easier, less expensive and more efficient for a business to garner an FTZ designation from the US Government.
"We are fortunate that the visionaries who conceived DFW gave their community a facility of the size and scale of ours, which is now primed to consider a full mix of development opportunities that are right for the market," says Fegan. "It's a winning combination across the board for our passengers, our local citizens and the economy.
