DFW Airport’s ‘World Of Wings’ Art Program Launches Year-Long Celebration Of New International Terminal D & Skylink People Mover

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas (April 13, 2004) - DFW Airport today kicks off a year-long celebration building up to the opening of the new International Terminal D and SkyLink Automated People Mover system with the “World of Wings” community art program. The new terminal and train are slated to open in 2005.

A huge “fleet,” numbering 300 6-feet long by 6-feet wide cardboard airplanes, will be distributed to previously selected, schools, cultural groups, governmental entities and DFW Airport employees for decoration. All airlines that serve DFW are also invited to participate. Upon completion, the airplanes will be displayed at Airport facilities, around the Metroplex, and on the Internet during the months prior to opening the Airport‘s new facilities.

DFW will also be working with the U.S. Army's Rest and Recuperation program to send planes to Iraq and Afghanistan for soldiers to paint and display at DFW.

“This is an exciting way for us to involve the community – in fact, the global community – as we prepare to open our new state-of-the-art International Terminal D and SkyLink system,” said Jeff Fegan, DFW Airport CEO. “We’re asking the community to dream of international travel and creatively decorate these airplanes to represent world cultures and people. Traveling the world is truly the only way to learn about others and their cultures. We hope this program will stir the desire to explore.”

Additionally, American Airlines has agreed to deliver nearly 30 airplanes to its international destinations served via DFW Airport, inviting those global communities to decorate airplanes as part of the program. Those airplanes also will be returned for display in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first airplane decorated by Eddie Rosada, an American Airlines fleet service clerk in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was unveiled at today’s kick-off celebration.

"American Airlines is very pleased to be a part of 'World of Wings,'" said Tim Ahern, vice president of the airline's DFW hub. "It's a wonderful way to capture the excitement and romance of international travel. As the airline that serves more international destinations from DFW than any other, it's great to see a program that brings life to the fun and adventure of visiting other countries."

The cardboard airplanes are designed to resemble a 777 aircraft commonly used in international travel. The airplane wings and fuselage fit together like a toy balsa wood airplane and can be taken apart for decoration and transport.

DFW has asked 60 schools from the Dallas and Fort Worth independent school districts and 10 schools participating in the Airport’s Share the Dream program to decorate airplanes.

Other participants include the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Safety Administration, cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Dallas Museum of Art, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Ballet Folklorico Azteca de Fort Worth, Canadian Club of North Texas, Punjabi Cultural Association of North Texas, Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, University of Texas at Dallas Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies, and the U.S. Mexico Chamber of CommerceSouthwest Chapter. Also participating in the program will be Fort Worth International Sister Cities: Reggio Emilia, Italy; Nagaoka, Japan; Trier, Germany; Bandung, Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Toluca, Mexico; and Mbabane, Swaziland, South Africa; and Dallas International Sister Cities: Brno, Czech Republic; Dijon, France; Monterrey, Mexico; Riga, Latvia; and Taipei, Taiwan. 

DFW Airport is providing the airplanes to the organizations free of charge; the groups will furnish the art supplies and creative juices.

Once the airplanes are on display, a catalog of the airplanes, artists and display locations will be posted at www.dfwairport.com/wow.

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world’s third busiest, serving 54 million passengers a year. Offering nearly 2,000 flights daily, DFW Airport provides nonstop service to 136 domestic and 31 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport log on to www.dfwairport.com.

To arrange interviews contact DFW Public Affairs at 972 574 NEWS (6397) or Ken Capps, Vice President Public Affairs, kcapps@dfwairport.com