DFW International Airport aerial view from Terminal D.
By Christina Mlynski
Dallas/Fort Worth InternationalbrAirport is a vital lifeline to the North Texas Region, currently contributingbrmore than $31 billion worth of economic impact to the Metroplex every year.
DFW International Airport producedbrnearly double the economic impact it has distributed in previous years due to cargobroperations and related business activity that was not previously included,braccording to a new study by the University of North Texas Center for EconomicbrDevelopment and Research.
"There's no question DFW is abrmajor contributor to the Dallas/Fort Worth economy, not only becausebrthe Airport hosts more than 1900 flights a day, but because DFW also createsbrjobs and economic activity through capital improvement projects such as ourbrTerminal Renewal and Improvement Program," says CEO of DFW Airport SeanbrDonohue. "This study captures in some pretty big numbers how dynamic ourbrAirport is in providing valuable growth and opportunities for ourbrcitizens."
The airport directly or indirectlybrsupports more than 143,000 permanent jobs to North Texas residents, includingbr60,000 people that work on the premises, which results in more than $9 billionbrin annual wages, salaries and benefits. Additionally, air cargo operations atbrDFW support $16.7 billion in regional economic activity every year, whilebrbusiness activity and visitor spending associated with airport operationsbrgenerate more than $1.7 billion annually. Furthermore, business tenants at DFWbrgenerate nearly $1.6 billion in regional economic activity each year.
"It's clear to us that Dallas/FortbrWorth International Airport is a key driver of economic success for NorthbrTexas," says Director of the Center for Economic Development and Researchbrat the University of North Texas Terry Clower. "In an increasinglybrglobal economy, this critical component of the region's transportationbrinfrastructure supports business activity through easy access to markets aroundbrthe world and enhances the quality of life for North Texas residents."
DFW has experienced the strongestbrperiod of international air service growth in its history during the past threebryears. This is a direct result of adding 20 new destinations — 17 of them includebrnew international stops, along with 26 new international flights and seven newbrairline carriers. The airport has attracted more than $1 billion in new annual economicbractivity for the Metroplex as an immediate impact of air service expansion.
“This report shows that virtuallybrevery local industry is touched in some way by the services available at DFWbrAirport," explains DFW's executive vice president for revenue management KenbrBuchanan. "The incredible growth we're seeing at DFW is coming not onlybrfrom new air service and flights, but also new uses for our land and newbrdevelopment projects on the airport property."