Staff Report | DFW Newsflash | August 2020
DFW International Airport’s long awaited Terminal F, designated for American Airlines, has been officially suspended after being delayed in April due to COVID-19.
Last year, American Airlines and officials for DFW Airport proposed a new 24-gate terminal, which would have been the 6th terminal at the airport. However, on Tuesday July 21, DFW Airport’s CFO Christopher Poinsatte shared that Terminal F would be delayed “indefinitely.”
COVID-19 has greatly affected various businesses including airlines and airports around the country. On July 23, American Airlines reported $2 billion in total operation losses for their second quarter.
“This was one of the most challenging quarters in American’s history,” said American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker, said in a press release. “COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown of the U.S. economy have caused severe disruptions to global demand for air travel. In spite of these challenges, the American Airlines’ team has done a phenomenal job taking care of our customers and our fellow team members.”
A few months ago, the airport estimated it would lose $225 million due to declines in aircraft and passenger traffic, but both American and DFW had expected the $3 billion investment would have been financed by bonds and repaid through airline rates and changes over the life of the bonds.
In May of 2019, DFW’s CEO Sean Donohue felt the new terminal would set the stage for DFW Airport’s next 50 years.
“The new Terminal F and the expansion that could follow will provide the region with the growth it needs to compete with international business centers,” Donohue said. “The Airport is growing faster than ever, and it needs to keep pace with the Dallas-Fort Worth economy to provide jobs and connections for businesses and families.”
DFW expected the project would have completed by 2025.
