{"id":19879,"date":"2023-07-23T01:59:53","date_gmt":"2023-07-23T08:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/airport-expansion-projects-take-off-across-texas\/"},"modified":"2023-07-23T01:59:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T08:59:55","slug":"airport-expansion-projects-take-off-across-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/airport-expansion-projects-take-off-across-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Airport expansion projects take off across Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Roads, water and energy are typically the main subjects of infrastructure discussion in Texas.<\/p>\n

Airports need to be added to that list. The rapid expansion of the state\u2019s economy in recent years has put pressure on passenger and airfreight capacity. New and expanded facilities being planned are benefitting from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act<\/a>. Nearly\u00a0$3 billion has<\/a> been made available to airports around the nation in 2023, with a total of $15 billion budgeted overall.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) served over 73 million passengers in 2022, making it the second busiest airport in the world<\/a>, and ranked fifth best in the world for overall service<\/a>. Airport officials predict a\u00a0record 78 million passengers<\/a>\u00a0will travel through DFW this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are more or less fully recovered from COVID,\u201d DFW\u2019s executive vice-president of global strategy and development John Ackerman told Axios<\/a>. \u201cWe were fortunate enough to recover a little faster than most airports in the United States, and indeed the world for that matter, and as a result our passenger numbers last year were only about one per cent shy of our 2019 levels.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DFW gateway has built a reputation as one of the world\u2019s most progressive and fastest growing airports, supporting what is in turn one of America\u2019s most dynamic and diverse state economies.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s driving massive expansion at DFW. In May, airport officials announced<\/a> American Airlines had signed a new 10-year Use and Lease Agreement which includes $4.8 billion in pre-approved capital investments.<\/p>\n

Under the investment plan is an estimated $2.72 billion for the expansion of the Central Terminal Area, and updates to the 24 existing gates in Terminal C, \u201cpier\u201d expansions off Terminal A and Terminal C, and significant upgrades to roadways and terminal access.<\/p>\n

Another estimated $1.63 billion will be directed to the construction of Terminal F, featuring a 15-gate concourse, the announcement said. Terminal F will provide state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including modernized baggage handling, expanded concessions and additional passenger gates to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in and out of the state.<\/p>\n

Construction of Terminal F is scheduled to start in the second half of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2026,\u00a0according to the Dallas Morning News<\/a>, while Terminal C will expand in three to four phases, with completion planned for 2028.<\/p>\n

Adding to Texas\u2019 airport capacity will be a $6.5 billion series of long overdue expansions at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS).\u00a0<\/p>\n

AUS set an all-time record in 2022, serving over 21 million passengers, up 55 per cent from the previous year. Projections suggest passenger numbers could exceed 30 million by 2037, according<\/a> to an Austin government information sheet.<\/p>\n

Upgrades are already underway in the Barbara Jordan Terminal, which will see added gates, new concessions and other facilities by 2026. Cargo, fuelling, baggage, passenger processing and infrastructure improvements are expected to be operational as early as this year.<\/p>\n

The Austin area has earned a reputation as one of the most vibrant tech hubs in the world, making it important for the area to deal with increased passenger volume in the future.<\/p>\n

In fact, eight municipal and executive airports are located within 35 miles of Austin, according<\/a> to the Austin Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the new Greenport International Airport, to be located 17 miles east of downtown, is planned as \u201cthe world\u2019s first green airport to be fully sustainable off-grid, privately owned and operated.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in Texas, the San Antonio International Airport will see investment of $2.5 billion, including a new terminal scheduled to enter pre-construction next year, plus road and runway upgrades, additional pad parking for aircraft, and modernization of the two existing terminals.<\/p>\n

San Antonio is a hub for flights to various Latin American destinations but hopes to develop non-stop service to Europe in the near future. Each additional European flight could add an estimated<\/a> $50 million to the region\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

And at Houston\u2019s William P. Hobby Airport, the country\u2019s 15th busiest and ranked sixth best in the world, $450 million of upgrades await approval by Houston City Council. The funds would focus on additional gates, baggage carousels and restrooms.<\/p>\n

The state has attracted 53 Fortune 500 companies to set up headquarters in Texas, more than any other state, according<\/a> to the Governor\u2019s Office. This makes Texas attractive for future air traffic development, for both domestic and international carriers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n