Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and American Airlines have announced plans to develop a sixth terminal at the airport.

The plans call for the airport to invest up to $3 to $3.5 billion in terminal improvements, including the construction of Terminal F and enhancements to Terminal C.

The identified site south of Terminal D provides significant flexibility for phasing in the number of gates for Terminal F, with a long-term projection of up to 24 gates, as demand for additional facilities is warranted.

Design work for Terminal F will begin immediately.

Dallas Fort Worth and American will explore several different options for the layout of the Terminal F site.

The pair expect the details to be finalised as part of a new airlines lease agreement for DFW that is being negotiated.

“Today’s announcement sets the stage for Dallas Fort Worth Airport’s next 50 years,” said Sean Donohue, chief executive of Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

“The new Terminal F and the expansion that could follow will provide the region with the growth it needs to compete with international business centres.

“The airport is growing faster than ever, and it needs to keep pace with the Dallas-Fort Worth economy to provide jobs and connections for businesses and families.”

The design of Terminal F is expected to accommodate a changing aviation industry as Dallas Fort Worth utilises innovative technologies to facilitate the movement of customers, maintain cost efficiencies for airlines and improve operational performance.

Terminal C is one of the airport’s original terminals and opened in 1974.

Dallas Fort Worth and American plan to significantly improve the customer experience at Terminal C, bringing it in line with Terminals A, B and E, on which renovations were completed in 2018.

Those renovations included redesigned check-in areas, larger security checkpoints, expanded concessions spaces, and improved lighting and flooring.

“This is an exciting day for American and our more than 31,000 team members who call Dallas-Fort Worth home.

“Dallas Fort Worth is American’s largest hub and a central gateway to our extensive international and domestic network.

“The plans we’re announcing today will allow for the continued growth of Dallas Fort Worth and ensure the airport remains a premier gateway for American for many more years to come,” said Doug Parker, American Airlines chairman.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport welcomed a record 69 million customers in 2018, and the Airport anticipates more passengers and air service to be added in the next two years than in the past two decades.