Airport News

American Airlines signs new lease at DFW Airport with plans for new terminal

Airplanes lined up at DFW Airport.

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Fort Worth-based American Airlines has signed on for another 10 years at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). According to a release, the airline and the airport have signed a new 10-year Use and Lease Agreement, which includes $4.8 billion in pre-approved capital investments.

The Use and Lease Agreement is the main governing document between the airlines and the airport and establishes the Airport’s business model. The new Use and Lease Agreement replaces the 2010 agreement and maintains many of the same arrangements as the prior version.

Capital investments include:

the construction of Terminal F
the renovation of Terminal C
construction of gate expansions at Terminal A and Terminal C
other modernization projects

The lease signing, which marks a new era of growth and innovation, was overseen by a gathering of and comments from the key personages: Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, and DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue.

"American is proud to call North Texas home, and DFW is our largest hub and a central gateway to our extensive international and domestic network," Isom said in a statement. "American has led the growth that has propelled DFW to become the second busiest airport in the world and we are thrilled to finalize a new lease agreement and capital plan that sets the stage for American, DFW, and the North Texas region to continue to grow for years to come."

"The Use and Lease Agreement not only creates a predictable and equitable business model for DFW Airport, but it also underscores the commitment of the airport and our airline partners to provide passengers with the best possible travel experience," Donohue said.

The Use and Lease Agreement outlines major capital projects over the next 10 years. The most significant projects include:

Terminal C. An estimated $2.72 billion for the expansion of the Central Terminal Area, including a major reimagining of Terminal C, gate expansions extending from Terminal A and Terminal C, and significant upgrades to roadways and terminal access.

Terminal F. An estimated $1.63 billion for the construction of a new Terminal F, featuring a 15-gate concourse.

The terminal expansions will add 24 gates to prepare American and DFW for long-term growth. At the completion of construction, American will add new gates in the Terminal A and Terminal C piers to its operating portfolio.

The new agreement will allow American and DFW to work together on additional capital projects throughout the term of the lease.

Approximately 85 percent of passenger traffic at DFW is customers of American Airlines, with about two-thirds of American’s customers connecting through DFW to access the airline’s global network.

American’s creation of a “connection factory” provides access to more than 240 nonstop destinations out of DFW operated by American. DFW is also home to several of American’s alliance partners.

North Texas is home to nearly 35,000 American Airlines employees, at the airport and on American’s 300-acre Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, where American recently opened its 600-room Skyview 6 Hospitality Complex, which hosts team members visiting for training.

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New Parks

Texas to open massive new state park in the Hill Country

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful Hill Country wildlife and nature, about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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