Skift Aviation Forum Video: How Airports Are Evolving for the Decades Ahead

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

In this video:

• Fifty years of DFW: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and despite being the second-youngest among U.S. airports, it has experienced significant growth. Looking forward, DFW plans to stay ahead of regional development with a substantial infrastructure program.
• Preparing for the decade ahead: DFW is preparing for a surge in passengers, aiming for a hundred million yearly passengers by the end of the decade. The airport faces the challenge of updating its physical infrastructure to accommodate this growth efficiently, with a $9 billion capital program over the next five to seven years.
• Addressing sustainability concerns: The airport is addressing sustainability concerns by implementing a solar and battery-operated microgrid at its rental car center. DFW acknowledges the increasing demand for energy due to the electrification of vehicles and aims to focus on resilience and reducing costs through innovative solutions.

In this Skift Aviation Forum session, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport CEO Sean Donohue and Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit discuss how the airport is marking its 50th anniversary, reflecting on its growth and the visionary decision by Dallas and Fort Worth to build a joint airport 55 years ago. Looking forward, the airport plans to stay ahead of regional growth with a significant infrastructure program to address the challenges posed by the aviation industry’s evolving landscape.

DFW is gearing up for a surge in passenger traffic, targeting a hundred million yearly passengers by the decade’s end. To efficiently manage this growth, the airport has initiated a $9 billion capital program over the next five to seven years. However, DFW recognizes the challenges of airport projects, emphasizing their high cost, disruption, and time-consuming nature. The airport is exploring innovative solutions, such as modular design and construction, to minimize costs and increase efficiency.

Addressing sustainability concerns, DFW is proactively planning for the increased energy demand resulting from the electrification of vehicles. The airport is implementing a solar and battery-operated microgrid at the rental car center to handle the surge in demand, showcasing a commitment to renewable energy. Additionally, DFW highlights the business benefits of sustainability efforts, citing cost savings and emphasizing the importance of aligning environmental stewardship with sound business practices.

This content was created collaboratively by DFW and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.