Terminal A completes first phase of overhaul
Robert Francis
rfrancis@bizpress.net
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and American Airlines showed off the completion of Terminal A’s phase I Terminal Renewal Improvement Program (TRIP) March 26.
The phase I opening includes gates A8 through A16, including the check-in and entrance area, as well as the parking structure adjacent to these gates.
The renovations are a joint effort between the airport and the airline, part of a seven year, $2.3 billion program to upgrade and refurbish D/FW Airport’s four original terminals built in 1974.
When complete, the new parking garage will add 7,793 parking spaces to the airport and includes new technologies to guide drivers to available spaces.
“Today is a special day for D/FW Airport and American Airlines, as we welcome passengers to our greatly improved Terminal A,” Jeff Fegan, CEO of D/FW Airport, said in a statement. “With new concessions, re-imagined passenger flows, updated finishes and a completely revamped section of Terminal A, DFW Airport is solidifying its place as one of the world’s top airports for customer service, and we stand ready to meet the needs of our passengers for the next 40 years.”
For the North Texas economy, the large scale revamp of D/FW Airport is key. According to Fegan, the airport’s economic impact on North Texas is about $17 billion annually, with 300,000 jobs tied directly or indirectly to the airport and $8 billion in payroll related to the airport.
Improvements to Terminal A will be completed in 2014, while work to all four terminals is expected to be complete by 2017.
Additional features for American Airlines customers include:
• an open layout to allow for continuous passenger flow
• power outlets and work tables at all gates
• next-generation kiosks with self-tag capabilities for checked baggage
• single-agent podiums to provide a more personalized experience
• a separate area for priority check-in
Customers traveling through D/FW Terminal A will also find an expanded security area with new technology displaying wait times in real-time, as well as more concession offerings.