Dallas Fort Worth International Airport successfully welcomed the world to North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after two years of close coordination with regional leaders and FIFA, CEO Chris McLaughlin told airport board members Aug. 6.
Supporting Visiting Teams and Fans
Airport staff worked alongside 150 North Texas volunteers, contributing nearly 2,000 hours to support visiting fans and VIPs, he said. The airport supported complex international arrivals across 12 airlines, multiple national teams, more than 1,000 charter passengers, over 2,000 VIPs, and more than 200 FIFA-related corporate aviation flights, all while maintaining daily operational integrity for everyday travelers.
The airport’s Department of Public Safety conducted close to 300 dignitary protection details, strengthened bomb squad readiness, increased canine coverage and even provided drone detection support at the tournament venue at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, renamed Dallas Stadium during the World Cup.
Tributes to Former U.S. Rep. Kay Granger
Board chair Vernon Evans and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker offered moving tributes to former U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth, who died Aug. 2 at 83. Evans recollected that he had the opportunity to work with the congresswoman when she was an airport board member and he was an airport staffer.
Parker said DFW Airport is a great example of something Granger fought hard for, and that she was incredibly proud of the airport’s success.
New Facilities and Budget
In June, the airport opened a LiveWell Center. The center offers airport employees high-quality healthcare in a modern environment, along with a learning space for training, collaboration and professional growth activities, McLaughlin said.
Brian Butler, DFW Airport’s chief financial officer, presented a proposed expenditure budget to the board totaling $1.63 billion. The budget represents a 13.2% increase from fiscal year 2026, primarily due to an increase in debt service costs related to the extensive capital improvements going on across the airport, he said.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
