By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling
Average reading time: 4 minutes
When nearly 88 million passengers flow through an airport’s gates in a single year, it’s clear that facility is more than a transportation hub—it’s one of the most powerful economic engines in America.
That was the central message as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s new CEO, Chris McLaughlin, keynoted the DRC’s Executive Circle, exploring how the world’s third-busiest airport drives unprecedented growth across North Texas.
Hosted at DFW Airport’s Public Safety Center Headquarters and presented by Capgemini and KPMG, the event revealed how this critical infrastructure does far more than move people and cargo. It serves as the foundation that enables one of America’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas to compete on the global stage, attracting Fortune 1000 headquarters and major corporate relocations that continue to reshape the regional economy.
Below are the key insights heard by attendees.
DFW Airport is an economic catalyst
For the DRC’s Mike Rosa, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, DFW Airport’s impact on regional growth is unmatched.
“In my 37 years of working to bring companies and jobs here, no factor has been more important than DFW International Airport, American Airlines, and their partnership with DFW, and our domestic and international air superiority,” said Rosa.
Innovation that creates competitive advantage
McLaughlin outlined how the airport is pioneering technologies that give North Texas businesses distinct advantages.
The airport is developing predictive analytics that identify bottlenecks before they occur across the facility’s multi-level roadway system. McLaughlin likened it to Waze for airports.
Unlike most airports that rely on outside contractors, DFW operates its own police and fire departments, ensuring complete operational control, said McLaughlin. The facility is also the first airport to use modular construction for terminals, with most building happening off-site before installation—a methodology other airports are now studying.
For business travelers, these innovations mean smoother connections and enhanced customer experiences that support international deal-making.
Global gateway advantages for business
As the third-busiest international gateway into the U.S., DFW Airport provides North Texas businesses with unparalleled global connectivity.
“More customers connect through DFW internationally than all but two other airports,” said McLaughlin, “and we expect about 7 million international customers coming up [in 2026].”
The airport is launching a game-changing program that will streamline international travel—while addressing a major pain point for business travelers.
“In the coming months, we will be launching a pilot with CBP and the TSA and American Airlines called One Stop Security,” McLaughlin announced. “Passengers traveling east can now process through Heathrow without having to go through customs and without having to reclaim their bags.”
World Cup readiness and global showcase opportunity
As North Texas prepares to host nine FIFA World Cup matches in 2026—more than any other region—DFW Airport represents a critical opportunity to showcase the region’s capabilities to global business leaders and investors.
“Very few people that are coming to North Texas next year are coming because they want to spend time at DFW Airport,” McLaughlin said. “They want a seamless experience, a friendly, welcoming, seamless experience through our airport.”
The preparation extends beyond infrastructure to service excellence: “We’ll have greeters, we’ll have a ton of folks out, language assistance, people in the building, making sure that guests can get where they need to go.”
One airport team—65,000 strong
While DFW directly employs about 2,000 people, McLaughlin emphasized the collaborative culture across the airport’s 27-square-mile campus. McLaughlin says the leadership team considers all 65,000 workers—from airline staff to concessionaires—as “one DFW, one team. “This approach extends to inclusive business practices.
“DFW Airport is fundamentally committed to providing opportunities for our community, and we believe there’s enough opportunity for everyone to be successful,” McLaughlin said. “We’re doing things through contractual mechanisms; through the way we can split work up to ensure that we do provide opportunities for everyone.”
Strategic vision for sustainable growth
Currently, 65% of DFW Airport passengers are connecting travelers. However, the airport is preparing infrastructure for the region’s growing local market.
“It’ll always be a connecting model, but we’ll have more and more folks from here getting to the airport and leaving. And we need to make sure that infrastructure is in place,” McLaughlin noted.
“We’re all for development. We want to do it responsibly… in a way that 50 years from now, my grandkids are enjoying a facility that we purposefully left behind.” McLaughlin said, emphasizing he wants future generations to find the airport efficient, amenity-rich, and reflective of Texas’ conservation values.
This strategic approach ensures DFW remains the cornerstone of regional economic success and a critical asset for companies choosing North Texas. The airport remains the cornerstone of the region’s economic success and a critical asset for companies choosing to locate, expand, or relocate to North Texas.
The Executive Circle is presented by Capgemini and KPMG, with corporate sponsorship from Axxess and Whitley Penn, and media partnership from NewsRadio 1080 KRLD. The DRC’s Executive Circle series connects key decision-makers with subject-matter experts quarterly. To attend a future Executive Circle event, connect with our membership team.