The airport is the third-busiest in the world, with 82 million travelers in 2023 and, according to a recent business presentation, some $24 billion in economic activity. DFW projects it will serve more than 100 million passengers each year within six years. It will also add a sixth terminal: Terminal F.
Wednesday’s DFW Airport Business Opportunity Forum, held in Grapevine and simulcast online, previewed the Infrastructure and Development Division’s forecasted procurements through March 2025. These projects are almost entirely built infrastructure, but the movie theater presentation included multiple mentions of the airport’s continuing tech endeavors.
“Travel Transformed” is the goal, underpinned by an airport ecosystem that supports sustainability while supporting travelers, employees and others, said Vice President of Innovation Jodie Brinkerhoff.
She outlined how the travel experience from home to boarding gate can be seamless when “powered by data” and “advanced biometrics.” These can help passengers understand how long it will take to get through the airport and get through security faster with facial ID.
In the controls and analytics area, the airport has a digital twin that mirrors airport operations and allows airport staffers to see issues in real time and quickly mitigate them. Drones capture images and data that feed into the analytic systems. Sensor technology is used for proactive asset management.
Procurement continues to get faster. According to the presentation, DFW adopted the Oracle Fusion Supplier Portal and has a goal to pay invoices within 30 days. This is one way the airport is working with its suppliers and vendors, for whom the opportunity forum is intended.
The forum is one way to connect, but the airport also publishes its buying plan online. Among upcoming procurements will be a $2 million purchase of MuleSoft software and services in Q3 and $15 million for payment processing services in Q4. The airport budget runs on an October to September fiscal year.
