Texas’ $9 Billion Airport Upgrade Gets Underway

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, has officially embarked on a transformative $9 billion makeover.
Announced in late August, the initiative, dubbed “DFW Forward,” marks the airport’s largest investment since its opening in 1974, and is designed to modernize terminals, expand capacity, and elevate the overall passenger experience.
At the heart of this massive renovation is a $3 billion overhaul of Terminal C, DFW’s busiest and most outdated terminal. The terminal is set to undergo a complete rebuild, with plans to eliminate over 400 obstructive columns, install new dynamic glass windows, and raise the roof to create a more spacious environment. The reimagined Terminal C will also feature state-of-the-art check-in areas, security checkpoints, and improved restroom facilities.
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“The incredible upgrades and expansions we have planned across the airport are going to reimagine the customer experience in many ways and provide the needed framework to support more historic growth in air travel to and from North Texas,” Sean Donohue, DFW’s Chief Executive Officer said on August 29.
“As we grow closer to serving 100 million passengers each year, it’s time for DFW to enhance our remaining legacy terminal and imagine brand new ones.”
DFW served just under 82 million passengers in 2023, putting it behind only Georgia’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta and the U.A.E.’s Dubai International in Airports Council International’s ranking of the world’s busiest airports.
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In addition to Terminal C, the project includes concurrent expansions of Terminals A, which will provide travelers with more amenities, including new retail and dining options, increased seating, and additional restrooms, according to DFW.
One of the standout features of the DFW Forward plan is the addition of a sixth, new Terminal F. The new terminal, which will be constructed later in the decade, and is anticipated to further boost the airport’s capacity with the addition of 15 new gates.
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The project also includes significant airfield improvements and updates to roadways and parking facilities.
Other additions an Electric Central Utility Plant to help heat and cool DFW’s terminals using renewably sourced electricity, two brand-new fire stations on both sides of the airport and new cargo facilities that will “nearly double cargo aircraft parking capacity.”
Alongside the other upgrades to Terminal C, one of the adjacent parking garages will “be completely rebuilt,” DFW said, with greater capacity and “modern parking management technologies to accommodate growth from the terminal’s expansion.”
The current Terminal C garage is set to close on Saturday, in preparation for demolition later this year.
“I am thrilled about the upcoming construction of a reimagined Terminal C at DFW Airport,” Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson said on August 29. “As an international city, Dallas flourishes through the global relationships made possible by the third-busiest airport in the world. This monumental expansion will strengthen one of Dallas’s greatest assets, facilitating more dynamic connections with our nation and the world.”
Forth Worth Mayor Mattie Parker echoed Johnson’s sentiment, and said: “As DFW Airport embarks on this latest transformation, we are excited to see how these advancements will further enhance the travel experience and strengthen our connection to the world as the DFW Metroplex continues to rapidly grow,”
The entire renovation is set to be completed by 2030, according to DFW, but travellers will experience improvements gradually as different phases are finished. Despite the complexity of the construction, DFW plans to maintain ongoing flight operations throughout the project​.
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