DFW Airport News Briefs - August 2013

DFW Airport Newly Appointed CEO Starts October 1, 2013 
The Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport Board has approved the terms and conditions set forth in Mr. Sean Donahue’s employment agreement offer after the successful completion of a background check. Mr. Donahue will formally transition as the newly appointed DFW Airport’s CEO effective October 1, 2013. Mr. Jeffrey Fegan has agreed to assist with the facilitation of Mr. Donahue’s transition through October 2013.

DFW Airport Opposes City of Irving Proposed Land Use Development Project 
DFW International Airport DFW Airport opposes a proposed zoning change to a tract of land in the city of Irving, known as the Payne Track South, which is situated on the final approach to a very active runway and only 550 feet from a second runway. The request to change the zoning from industrial use to residential is incompatible with the aircraft operations that occur around the clock at DFW. This area typically sees as many as 150 daily arrivals with aircraft flying at approximately 250 feet above the ground as they pass this tract. In addition to arriving flights, this area is also subject to frequent aircraft noise from the reverse thrusts of engines and maintenance run-ups. These activities also frequently expose this area to jet exhaust odors. Irving Planning & Zoning considered the case on July 15, 2013. The resolution failed to pass (4/4 Vote); thus, the case was forwarded to Council with a recommendation for denial. Council will review the case on August 8th.

DFW Airport Facilitation Update
DFW International Airport has pursued strategies to enhance security and improve overall customer experience, in collaboration with our airline and government partners. Due to increased demand in international air travel, DFW Airport is actively advocating reform at the US Government level to enable airports that have had greater increases in international flights to also increase Custom and Border Protection (CBP) staffing.
The politics and policy decisions in Washington regarding the budget and "discretionary" domestic spending are causing airports to pursue new advocacy strategies to assure that we can serve the customer and keep pace with this anticipated growth. DFW Airport is working to provide near-term relief for the inadequate CBP staffing until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can increase the staffing at major airports like DFW Airport. With the goal of ensuring 30-minute maximum wait time through customs, DFW Airport will install 30 additional Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks for customers this fall. The Airport is also encouraging US citizens to sign up for Global Entry, are working with the US Government to fund overtime for staffing and, in the meantime, working to ensure customers are more comfortable by providing bottles of water and supplementing Airport staff to communicate and ask customers what they need while standing. DFW advocates US travelers to contact their Congress persons.

(re)defining DFW International Airport

DFW International Airport’s $2.3 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) is (re)defining first class for this global gateway. For the latest details regarding TRIP, log on to www.dfwairport.com/redefine.