DFW International Airport Completes Record Year for International Expansion By Attending World Routes Conference in Berlin

Airport seeking more new air service opportunities in 2012

BERLIN, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Having just announced the impending arrival of Emirates Airline, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is seeking to build on its most successful year ever for international route expansion by attending the World Routes Conference in Berlin, Germany.  World Routes is the foremost annual air service networking event, bringing airline and airport representatives together with a goal of developing new routes.  DFW will serve as a major sponsor at the event, and speak to airlines about the potential of adding service to Dallas/Fort Worth.

"The World Routes Conference represents a prime opportunity for DFW staff members to work on the Airport's core mission of bringing more flights to Dallas/Fort Worth," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. "We highly value meeting with leaders of the world's top airlines at World Routes, where we educate them about the outstanding opportunities we have at DFW Airport and in the Dallas/Fort Worth market."

DFW's record-breaking success in landing in nine new international destinations in 2011 was highlighted by the Emirates announcement and by the arrival of QANTAS Airways flights to Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, which started in May. DFW also welcomed new service to Rio de Janeiro and Barbados on American Airlines, new American Eagle service to Mazatan, Morelia, Queretaro, and Veracruz in Mexico, and new Sun Country service to the Dominican Republic.

Adding to the milestone year, new domestic service from Virgin America and Spirit Airlines brought more flight options and competition to Dallas-Fort Worth passengers, as did flights to four new domestic markets by American Eagle.

"DFW Airport continues to be recognized as one of the top international gateways in the world, and Dallas/Fort Worth is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States," said Luis Perez, vice president for air service development at DFW. "That makes for a very compelling combination, and that's why we are so excited to talk about DFW opportunities with the world's airlines."

DFW's Air Service Development team continues to target key areas of opportunity for expansion, notably in Asia and the Middle East.

"We talk to international carriers year-round, even though new air service announcements can take years to come to fruition," said Fegan. "It's vital that we continue building these relationships over time, because starting just one new international daily wide-body flight can produce over $200 million in annual economic impact to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. That's a tremendous amount of value that an airport can bring to its home region."

This will be the 17th annual World Routes Conference, running through October 4 in Berlin. DFW is sponsoring the Airline Meeting Hall at the conference, meaning hundreds of airline meetings will be occurring in a DFW-branded meeting space.

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's fourth busiest, offering nearly 1,750 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW provides non-stop service to 145 domestic and 48 international destinations worldwide. For five consecutive years, DFW has ranked in the top five for customer service among large airports worldwide in surveys conducted by Airports Council International. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, visit www.dfwairport.com.

(re)defining DFW International Airport

DFW International Airport's $1.9 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.

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SOURCE DFW International Airport