Dive Brief:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport kicked off major construction work on its oldest and busiest terminal on Aug. 29, according to a news release from the airport. The $3 billion Terminal C project will modernize and expand the building, adding more gates and passenger amenities.
• The design-builders for Terminal C’s first phase and expansion, as well as the Terminal A expansion, is a joint venture made up of Austin Commercial and Azteca Enterprises, both based in Dallas, as well as Carrollton, Texas-headquartered Alpha & Omega. New York City-based HOK and Muller & Muller of Chicago make up the design team.
• The event also marked the beginning of the airport’s nearly $9 billion improvement plan, DFW Forward, its largest capital investment since opening in 1974. It will transform terminals, add new facilities and gates, enhance the airfield and improve roadways and connectivity, according to the release.

Dive Insight:

Dallas Fort Worth is the world’s third-busiest airport by passenger traffic, according to Airports Council International, serving nearly 82 million travelers annually and housing 28 airlines. 

However, the bustling facility is still in its original state from about 50 years ago, and DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue said Terminal C “desperately needs to be reconstructed,” according to WFAA TV Dallas Forth Worth.

The airport’s overall capital program includes more than 180 projects that are in various stages of planning, development and construction, according to the release. 

Currently in progress is a sixth terminal, Terminal F, which will include 15 gates and a new Skylink station. The Innovation Next+ team, led by Atlanta-based Archer Western Construction, a subsidiary of Chicago-based Walsh Construction, is building the $855 million project.

“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,” said Donohue in the release. “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.”

A better Terminal C

Terminal C work entails removing more than 400 view-blocking columns, installing new dynamic glass windows and raising the roof throughout. Builders will add new shops and restaurants, lounge space, check-in areas, security checkpoints and improved restrooms.

At the same time, crews will be expanding both the Terminal C and Terminal A piers. The expansions will add 115,000 square feet and four gates to Terminal C and 140,000 square feet and five gates to Terminal A. The added capacity will accommodate passenger growth and include more restaurants and shops, seating areas and restrooms.

Following the first phase and expansion, the remainder of the Terminal C concourse will be demolished and rebuilt in two additional phases, per the release. This work will allow the terminal to continue flight operations in other portions of the facility while focused areas undergo significant construction. 

Terminal C work is expected to wrap up in 2030.