DALLAS/FORT Worth (DFW) International Airport is keen to build on its reputation as the best entry point into the US. Over the past 24 months, DFW has experienced a record run of twelve new international destinations including Dubai, UAE with the launch of Emirates direct flight to DFW.
Additionally, the airport has ranked in the top five for customer service among large airports worldwide in surveys conducted by Airports Council International for the past five years, making it one of the world’s most highly regarded airports. All of these achievements will be highlighted at the 18th World Routes Development Forum taking place September 29 to October 2 in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to TTN Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW said, “We have found that the Routes Exhibition is extremely efficient way of meeting a lot of airlines which is crucial for our growth.”
“Even for the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas, every new airline brings additional revenue and opportunities. With the start of the Emirates flight to Dallas in February 2012, we have already estimated a $200 million direct economic impact,” added Mayor Betsy Price, Mayor of the city of Fort Worth, Texas, and the director of Tourism at the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“DFW Airport continues to be recognised as one of the top international gateways in the world, and our region is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the US. With the launch of the Emirates flight – we have opened connections from one gateway city to another,” added Fegan. “This has also opened the Texas to international tourists which is rather iconic around the world. Dallas and Fort Worth offer different aspects of tourism experience - one very urban and the other more western sophistication. This makes it a very compelling combination.”
Both Dallas and Fort Worth already hold strong trade relations with the UAE. The UAE is the single largest export market for American goods in the Middle East and trade continues to grow sharply.
Recently, the airport inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ), to improve trade and enhance relationships between the two regions. Both DFW and DAFZ will exchange expertise to benefit business at both locations in addition to develop new opportunities in the global markets.
“We have 18,000 acres of land at DFW and have been developing warehouse distribution facilities for companies that depend on air transportation and the same with Dubai Airport Free Trade Zone (DAFZ). Together we hope to provide excellent operations, outstanding service and providing easy access to more destinations through many different airlines,” added Fegan.
“Today, our mission is to connect the world to Dallas/Fort Worth. With more than 190 available destinations, more carriers, and increases in air service destinations, we are confident of our position as the key global entry point in the US,” said Fegan.
DFW’s record-breaking recent success in landing twelve new international destinations is highlighted by nonstop service on Qantas to Australia and by the arrival of Emirates with daily service between DFW and Dubai.
“The Emirates hub here in Dubai is amazing and connects us to number of destinations where we have a lot of demand for travel. India, for example, is our largest un-served market or even Africa where we don’t serve currently but with the Emirates flight, it gives us the opportunity to really connect to the world,” added Fegan.
DFW also welcomed new service to Rio de Janeiro and Barbados on American Airlines, new American Eagle service to Mazatlan, Morelia, Querétaro, and Veracruz in Mexico, and new Sun Country service to the Dominican Republic. With four Canadian destinations, nonstop service to 33 cities in Latin American and 18 cities in Mexico, DFW serves as the major gateway to the Americas.
In July 2012, Qantas increased to daily nonstop service to Brisbane/Sydney. Spirit Airlines added new daily service to Toluca, Mexico, near Mexico City in June. Also, Cayman Airways began service to the Grand Cayman Islands in June, and DFW welcomed KLM nonstop service to Amsterdam in July.
For international travellers, customs at DFW is already an easy, expedient process that quickly sends travellers on their way. To enhance customer convenience for frequent international travellers, DFW is a participating airport in the Global Entry Trusted Traveller program that enables travellers to bypass the traditional passport lines and skip paper customs declaration forms when re-entering the country through DFW. This program is designed to further expedite entry into the US at participating airports, like DFW, and around the country.
Already one of the most hi-tech airports in the US, DFW is excited about one of its most requested customer enhancements, complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, starting in September, thanks to a deal with Dallas-based AT&T.
For its premium passengers, Terminal D, where the Emirates Airline flights dock, provides an unparalleled international arrival experience with a high-capacity customs facility with short wait times, even during peak hours. In a recent survey, Emirates Airline passengers scored their DFW Airport arrival experience an impressive 8.67 out of 10.