DFW International Airport to host 2008 Airport Cities Conference

by PegNews wire

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT — DFW International Airport announced today that it will host the 2008 Airport Cities World Conference & Exhibition in Texas. The conference will bring together airports from around the globe to discuss the dynamic trend in the aviation industry of land development and recruiting top business tenants to bolster non-aviation revenues.

The announcement was made today by DFW Chief Executive Officer Jeff Fegan to coincide with the 2007 Airport Cities World Conference & Exhibition in Frankfurt.

"DFW is a central force behind the growth of Texas into one of the nation's most prosperous and international economies," said Fegan. "Airports are a magnet for businesses and developments that cater to air cargo and passenger services, and with 18,000 acres of land, DFW has the unique ability to attract this growth while operating a world-class facility for travelers. Upon seeing the success of our airport, other airports around the world are now also seizing on this opportunity to bring new services to their guests and bring new jobs and businesses to their communities."

DFW is already home to several developments not typically found in the aviation industry: massive air cargo developments; private warehouse/distribution centers; two 18-hole golf courses; a Grand Hyatt and a Hyatt Regency hotel; and a number of other corporate entities.

The airport is also poised to develop its vast untapped natural resources. In October 2006, DFW signed a contract with an initial value of $186 million with Chesapeake Energy Corporation to drill for natural gas. Exploration is slated to begin by summer, and the additional royalties paid to the airport are planned to fuel capital expansion plans for decades.

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. Named as 2007's "Best Airport for Customer Service in the Americas" by an Airports Council International survey of passengers, DFW International Airport provides non- stop service to 133 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide.

Source: DFW International Airport