OREANDA-NEWS. DFW Airport Honored for Its Significant Economic Impact on the Region and Its Commitment to Excellence

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport today received the High Impact Legacy Award from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. The award, which has been given annually since 2012, honors a person, place or organization chosen by the Chamber's senior management and executive committee, and recognizes years of commitment and dedication to Fort Worth and that has stood the test of time, leveraged opportunities and faced numerous challenges.

DFW Airport received the Legacy Award today at the Chamber's third annual High Impact Breakfast at the Fort Worth Convention Center. This year is the first time the Legacy Award has gone to an entity. Given DFW Airport's 40th anniversary, the Chamber cited the Airport's significant economic impact on the area and its commitment to excellence.

"Most of the corporate relocations in our region would not have occurred without DFW International Airport," said Chamber President and CEO Bill Thornton. "It's truly a regional force and a source of great pride for Fort Worth. The Chamber is pleased to recognize the Airport's unparalleled economic impact and commitment to excellence."

"On behalf of DFW Airport, it is an honor to be selected by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce as the first organization to receive the Legacy Award," said DFW International Airport CEO Sean Donohue. "As DFW celebrates its milestone 40th anniversary this year, we are now serving more than 62 million customers a year with more than 200 worldwide destinations, contributing nearly USD 32 billion to the region annually. The support we have with our partners in Fort Worth and throughout North Texas is an integral part of the Airport's success and its tremendous impact on the community."

The Chamber cited a number of DFW Airport's accomplishments, including its growth this year as a global hub. In June, American Airlines began service to Hong Kong and Shanghai, connecting DFW with two of the world's most powerful economic centers and opening new avenues of trade and tourism. Qantas Airways and Emirates recently launched nonstop A380 superjumbo service to Sydney, Australia and to Dubai, United Emirates, respectively.

In addition, the Chamber praised DFW Airport's expansion of new services for international travelers, becoming the only U.S. airport to offer Automated Passport Control with automated passport processing for eligible international travelers, customers from all 38 visa waiver countries, customers with only carry-on bags and Lawful Permanent Residents (citizens with "green cards").

More than 70-percent of all international customers now automatically process through the APCs.

Finally, the Chamber cited the Airport's upgrades to customer service, including the August launch of light rail service aboard Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which now connects travelers to downtown Dallas. By 2018, plans call for the TEX Rail line to carry travelers from the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Fort Worth to the Airport. The Chamber also lauded the Airport's USD 2.7 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) for ongoing renovations in Terminals A, B and E and an all-new parking garage added to Terminal A.