DFW Airport touts coordination in World Cup success

by Doug Wilhelm, Fort Worth Report
August 15, 2026

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.   

In his remarks, McLaughlin tallied the types of support provided to 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.

“We 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,†he said.

McLaughlin added that 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.

And in a unique show of camaraderie and team spirit, DPS officers and members of the Dallas Police Department welcomed team Norway with a “Viking Row†as their flight landed at DFW.

“Overall, DFW’s operational excellence, welcoming hospitality, and the strength of our regional partnerships were reflected throughout the tournament, demonstrating North Texas’s ability to deliver a world-class experience on a global stage,†McLaughlin said.  

Kay Granger tribute

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.

“I found her to be a fierce advocate, not only for the city of Fort Worth, but for this airport and the region,†Evans said. “She took that fierce advocacy all the way to Washington, and we are a better airport because of her direct involvement.â€

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.  

“When you think about Dallas Fort Worth and you think about my community in Fort Worth, with all of our success as now the 10th largest city in the country, it truly is because of visionary leadership, and Kay was one of the very best,†Parker said. 

Employee clinic opened

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.

“From upgraded clinic exam rooms to flexible training areas, every part of the new facility reflects our promise to create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive, both personally and professionally,†he said.

Fiscal 2027 budget

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.

Components of the budget include operations and maintenance expenditures of $821 million, gross debt of $802 million, and a board contingency of $10 million.  

Butler said the proposed budget will be provided to the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth by the end of August for their respective approvals as co-owners of the airport.

Lounge openings and enhancements 

In July, the airport opened a new Chase Sapphire Lounge in Terminal D for premium cardholders. In addition, American Express has expanded its Centurion Lounge, and American Airlines is moving forward with substantial investments to its Admirals Club and Flagship lounges.

“These enhancements support DFW's broader commitment to providing customers with more choice, flexibility and personalized journeys from curb to gate,†McLaughlin said.

Doug Wilhelm is a member of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew. If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at news@ortworthreport.org with “Correction Request†in the subject line.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.