DFW Airport breaks ground on new $5 billion terminal expansion

DFW Airport is embarking on its first new terminal in nearly 20 years.

The airport broke ground Tuesday on Terminal F with 15 gates projected to open in three years.

The expansion comes at a pivotal time.

CEO Sean Donohue says the international airport is on track to see a record 90 million passengers this year. And the holiday travel season is just getting underway.

The new 400-thousand-square-foot modular terminal will feature 15 new gates. It will also boast advanced technology to get travelers through baggage handling and TSA screening more quickly.

"You're going to see planes launching behind you literally going to almost every continent in the world today from DFW," Donohue said.

$1.6 billion will go toward creating the new terminal while the remaining $2.7 billion will be used for upgrades in terminals A and C.

Terminal C is the most outdated yet busiest terminal at the airport. It will be gutted in phases and reimagined from the ground up. FOX 4 got a preview back in August.

"This expansion is going to pave the way for DFW to grow," said Ron McCallum, a pilot and aviation expert.

DFW Airport is projected to serve 100 million passengers by 2028.

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Credit: DFW Airport

Architects designed Terminal F in a way that will allow for expansion later as needed.

A new Skylink stop will eventually connect all six terminals.

McCallum says travelers need to temper their expectations.

"It's important that the public understands and knows that simply because DFW is building a new terminal and expanding capacity, there is a finite limit to the amount of flights that can safely arrive and depart from DFW," he said. "So there should be no misunderstanding that simply because we're expanding DFW that the passengers themselves are going to be able to get to a gate or their final destination quicker. That remains to be seen."

Construction is set to be complete in 2026.

The plan does not include a new parking garage.

Terminal F will be the largest modular project built to date.