Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Deb Borrell, CRP, GMS - Apr 27 2022The airport is a major reason for the growth in the DFW area
In my previous article on the Dallas Fort Worth Region, I noted that, since I relocated here with my family in 1976, the area's expansion rate has increased by 48 percent, making it the eighth-most rapidly expanding city in the nation.
There are many reasons for this expansion, including economic diversity, local talent, no state income tax, favorable business climate and tax structure, comparatively low cost of living, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport).
For almost 50 years, DFW Airport has been a crucial source of economic growth and development. Serving one of the most dynamic regions of the economy, the airport provides air travel and cargo infrastructure essential to businesses and individuals in the region and beyond.
DFW Airport has been the catalyst for the emergence of the Metroplex area as a major urban center. In addition, The airport serves as a substantial source of business activity through operations of the airport itself and related businesses such as concessions and retail establishments within the terminals. Several office and industrial parks surrounding the terminal areas provide an ideal location for businesses dependent on proximity to air passenger and cargo service, further increasing the economic benefits.
The airport contributes around $37 billion a year to the local economy, of which approximately one-third supports the payroll of 228,000 area jobs, of which 60,000 are airport jobs.
DFW Airport covers almost 27 square miles and has its own zip code (75261) and city designation ("DFW Airport, TX"), as well as its own police, fire protection, and emergency medical services. A significant amount of land is still available. Development of these parcels would involve significant construction spending and an increase in jobs on an ongoing basis.
In the interim, DFW Airport is using some of the land to remotely build passenger gates -- boxy rooms made of concrete, glass, and steel. When completed, the gates are then relocated to the designated terminal.
DFW Airport began its rise to fame when, in a bold and brilliant move, American Airlines decided to move its headquarters to the airport in 1973.
By relocating its headquarters to DFW Airport, the airport would build American a new reservations center and new headquarters, financed with airport bonds, and then lease the facilities back to American for the cost of paying off the bonds. American would get the new headquarters facility at a low cost, plus millions in savings on operating expenses and taxes. The airport would get the national headquarters of American Airlines without having to spend anything – the airport would merely act as a banker, issuing bonds backed up by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Of course, the two cities wouldn’t lose anything because they’d merely pledge to support bonds that would be paid off by American’s rent.
American employees who opted to relocate to the DFW area would also be saving money with the advantage of having a lower cost of living than living and working in the New York area.
Today DFW Airport is American Airlines’ largest hub in its global network and continues to expand its operations at the Airport. The airline has moved much of its Asian traffic from the Southern California international flying hub to DFW Airport.
American Airlines’ decision to relocate to DFW Airport put the airport to become the 2nd largest airport globally in terms of passengers and the 3rd largest in terms of operations, with seven runways and 168 gates. serving 193 domestic and 67 nonstop international destinations. All major US cities can be accessed within four hours from the airport.
DFW Airport is one of just two airports in North America to have a Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certified community. The designation puts the airport and its supply chain stakeholders in the top tier for the safe handling of pharmaceuticals and other high-temperature sensitive materials.
A leader in environmental sustainability
As part of its commitment to climate action, DFW Airport established its first carbon reduction targets in 2015. The airport achieved its 2020 Strategic Plan goal to reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent per passenger two years early. DFW has now set an ambitious target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, supporting the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign.
DFW Airport continues to explore innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint. In August 2017, DFW implemented the Renewable Natural Gas Initiative and began transitioning its compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fleet to renewable natural gas (RNG) produced from local landfill gas. Through this initiative, The airport has dramatically reduced vehicle fleet emissions.
Airport location attracts remote/hybrid workforce as well as businesses
The tremendous drawing power of the airport continues to attract businesses, individuals, and families relocating to the DFW area.
As mentioned in my previous article, today, DFW is home to 24 Fortune 500 company headquarters, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Kimberly-Clark, and Toyota Motor North America.
At the end of 2021, more than 100 substantial prospects are weighing a corporate headquarters relocation or major expansion to North Texas, and more than 65 national and international conferences are already scheduled for 2022.
Since the pandemic and the rise in remote work, an increased number of workers are relocating to the area not only to be close to, or work at, a physical office location but to be close to the DFW Airport. As more employees are able to exercise remote/hybrid work options, they can work from any location. Working near such a strategically located airport is ideal and offers the flexibility of working from anywhere. In fact, according to a recent survey, DFW Area ranks number one for remote workers, partly due to DFW Airport. Living near an airport that offers numerous flights and times may also give job seekers a competitive edge.