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Airport passenger and cargo traffic in the United States is projected to grow by as much as a 150 per cent by 2040.

Even over the next five years, airports across the country will collectively need $151 billion in order to meet their infrastructure needs, Kevin Burke, president and Chief Executive Officer of Airports Council International – North America.

Anticipating this projected growth, Texas, with its fast-growing economy, is now seeing major expansions of facilities get underway at two of its largest airports.

In late August, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on its nearly $9 billion capital improvement plan called “,” marking the airport’s largest capital investment since opening in 1974.

DFW Forward includes more than 180 projects in various stages of planning, development and construction. The long-term project will transform terminals, add new facilities and amenities, increase the number of gates, improve roadways and connectivity and enhance the airfield.

DFW was named in 2023 as the best large airport for customer satisfaction in North America by Airports Council International, serving over 80 million passengers and offering more than 250 global destinations. DFW is also the world’s largest, and North America’s first, carbon-neutral airport. It aims to maintain those leadership positions.

“As we grow closer to serving 100 million passengers each year, it’s time for DFW to enhance our remaining legacy terminal and imagine brand new ones,” said Sean Donohue, DFW’s Chief Executive Officer in a . “The work in front of us is exciting, but it is going to be complex, challenging and impactful as we continue to operate one of the world’s busiest airports.”

The Terminal C project is a $3 billion design-build joint venture, comprised of , and . and Muller & Muller Ltd. act as design team members. Terminal C will be transformed into a modern and spacious passenger experience by removing more than 400 view-blocking columns, installing new dynamic glass windows and raising the roof throughout. New shops and restaurants, lounge space, expanded check-in areas and security checkpoints, and improved restrooms will add to this positive customer experience.

Taking place concurrently are double-loaded pier expansions of both Terminal C and Terminal A. The expansions will add 115,000 square feet and four gates to Terminal C and 140,000 square feet and five gates to Terminal A, which will also benefit from new restaurants and retail options, seating areas and restrooms for travellers.

The adjacent south parking garage will be completely rebuilt with more spaces featuring modern parking management technologies to accommodate the terminal’s expansion. Construction is also underway on a new facility to help heat and cool DFW’s terminals with electricity supplied from 100 per cent renewable resources.

Over at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, by city council in late September for contracts worth $1.9 billion for the airport’s much-needed expansion.

Austin-Bergstrom opened in 1999. In 2023, the airport had over 22 million passengers, double its designed capacity. In the first seven months of 2024, it welcomed 12.9 million passengers, according to airport data.

The improvements are part of the Austin-Bergstrom Airport Expansion and Development program called , a $4 billion strategic phased investment consisting of select 2040 Master Plan projects and near-term improvements.

The largest single contract is a $1.03 billion construction deal with to build a midfield concourse and tunnel, with completion anticipated in 2030. This will add 20 new gates, with potential for 10 more depending on demand.

In August, the council approved about in other contracts related to the airport expansion, including redesign of taxiways to accommodate construction of the new concourse, designs for a new tunnel connecting the new and old concourses, and a redesign of the baggage system as well as a various landside improvements. Also planned are upgrades to critical airport infrastructure, such as a new Central Utility Plant to heat and cool the expanded facilities.

Approval was also granted for a $45 million contract for to design an arrivals and departures hall to be housed in a new multi-storey building north of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.

An $820 million construction contract was approved for Austin Commercial LP to build the terminal, with expected completion in 2030. This new building will expand the ticketing and check-in capacity for the airport, and offer consolidated security checkpoints and baggage claim areas.

Airports are regarded as critical to the American economy. Under the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $1 billion has been provided annually for five years for Airport Terminal Program grants. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize America’s airport infrastructure.