Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport has significantly strengthened its role as a major economic engine for North Texas, contributing over $78 billion annually to the regional economy and supporting more than 684,000 jobs, according to a 2025 study by The Perryman Group. The findings highlight a decade of sustained growth driven by rising passenger traffic, expanded flight networks, and increased business activity.
Since 2014, the airport’s annual economic impact has surged from $46.4 billion to $78.3 billion in gross product—a 69% increase—reflecting the value generated by airport-related operations. Total expenditures linked to DFW rose from $87 billion to $146 billion during the same period, a 68% jump. Employment tied directly and indirectly to the airport grew by 35%, from 508,000 to 684,000 positions, with over 50,600 people now employed directly at the facility.
Personal income derived from airport-related work climbed from $28.3 billion in 2014 to $47.7 billion in 2024, representing nearly a 69% rise. Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson praised DFW as a catalyst for urban advancement, noting its role in expanding job opportunities and reinforcing the city’s economic landscape. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the airport’s importance as a global gateway and driver of regional prosperity.
DeMetris Sampson, Chair of the DFW Airport Board of Directors, pointed out that the airport’s influence extends beyond transportation, fueling small business growth and deepening economic integration across North Texas. CEO Chris McLaughlin highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments, including new terminals and modernized roadways, aimed at accommodating up to 100 million passengers per year by the end of the decade.
Notably, DFW operates without taxpayer funding for daily operations. However, the economic activity it generates—including visitor spending, cargo operations, tenant revenues, and business partnerships—contributes substantially to public finances. Annual fiscal benefits are estimated at over $14 billion in federal taxes, $5 billion in state taxes, and $3.4 billion for local governments.
Additionally, the airport’s $12 billion capital improvement program is projected to generate nearly $5 billion in additional tax revenue upon completion. These upgrades are expected to create thousands of jobs and further boost wages and economic output.
Ray Perryman, founder of The Perryman Group, underscored DFW’s significance as a national asset that supports both current economic success and future expansion. The full report is publicly available for review.
— news from DFW Airport
— News Original —
DFW International Airport
DFW Airport, Texas (Dec. 3, 2025)
Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport now contributes more than $78 billion annually to the North Texas economy and supports more than 684,000 jobs across the region, according to a new economic impact study released today.
The comprehensive study, conducted by The Perryman Group, shows that the airport has accelerated its economic influence over the past decade and underscores DFW’s role as a major driver of jobs, commerce and tourism spending. Since 2014, the airport’s overall annual economic impact has grown from $46.4 billion in gross product (measuring economic value created by airport-related activities) to $78.3 billion in 2024 – an increase of about 69%. The growth was driven by record passenger volumes, expanded domestic and international air service, and robust business development across the region.
“DFW Airport continues to be one of our region’s most powerful economic engines, and its growth reflects what we see across Dallas: a city on the rise stepping confidently into a brighter future,” said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “With its expansion underway, DFW Airport is creating more jobs, driving greater prosperity, strengthening our business landscape, and expanding opportunities for Dallas families. As Dallas surges forward, DFW Airport helps fuel our growth with unmatched connectivity and makes a profound impact on our local economy.”
“This new study from Perryman underscores DFW Airport’s central role as a world-class gateway and a major economic driver for Fort Worth and the entire North Texas region,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “From remarkable job growth to a major increase in gross product, it’s clear that DFW is moving our region forward, and Fort Worth takes great pride in being a steadfast partner in this momentum.”
The study, which Perryman has conducted for the airport every five years since 2014, highlights strong growth across every major category of airport-related activity during the past decade:
Gross product, which measures the economic value that airport-related expenditures create, has increased 69% from $46.4 billion in 2014 to $78.3 billion in 2024. This number is the best indicator of airport’s net economic impact on the North Texas region.
Total expenditures, which measures the economic value of all dollars spent due to the airport’s presence, increased from $87 billion in 2014 to $146 billion in 2024, up 68%.
Direct and indirect employment supported by the airport grew from 508,000 jobs to 684,000, an increase of 35%. Direct employment at the airport currently totals more than 50,600 jobs.
Personal income from airport-related activity rose from $28.3 billion in 2014 to $47.7 billion in 2024, an increase of nearly 69%.
“DFW Airport’s impact reaches far beyond travel, as it fuels economic opportunity in every corner of North Texas,” said DeMetris Sampson, Chair of the DFW Airport Board of Directors. “This study shows how the airport’s growth translates directly into new jobs, stronger small businesses, and expanded connections with the Texas economy. As we modernize our terminals and invest in the next decade of infrastructure, we’re laying the groundwork for even more innovation, commerce and shared prosperity across our communities.”
“The continued expansion of DFW Airport as an economic engine demonstrates its importance as a community, regional and national asset that supports small businesses, promotes tourism and creates opportunities for residents across North Texas,” said Chris McLaughlin, DFW’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we look ahead to serving 100 million passengers annually by the end of the decade, we’re investing in new terminals, modern roadways and expanded infrastructure to ensure that DFW continues to grow smartly and remain ready for the needs of the future.”
While the airport does not use taxpayer dollars for its operations, the study concludes that the economic activity generated by DFW’s businesses, partners, visitor spending, cargo operations, tenants and other activities have greatly increased the tax benefits to the community. These annual fiscal benefits are estimated to generate more than $14 billion in federal taxes, $5 billion in state taxes and $3.4 billion for local taxing entities.
Additionally, the Perryman study concludes that the airport’s ongoing $12 billion capital program, including projects on the airfield, new gates, other facility improvements and the new Terminal F, are estimated to generate nearly $5 billion in additional local, state and federal taxes at project completion. The airport’s new infrastructure will also support thousands of additional jobs, along with billions more in gross product and wages.
“Serving one of the most dynamic economies in the world, DFW Airport helps support current success, and future expansion and prosperity, and is a major catalyst to continuing development,” said Ray Perryman, founder and CEO of The Perryman Group. “Through its operations and related activity, DFW generates substantial – and growing – economic and fiscal benefits to the region, state, and nation.”
DFW Perryman Economic Impact Report 2025The complete Perryman study is available here.
About The Perryman Group
The Perryman Group is a highly regarded economic research and analysis firm based in Waco, Texas. The firm has served the needs of more than 3,000 clients, including two-thirds of the Global 25, over half of the Fortune 100, the 12 largest technology firms in the world, 12 U.S. Cabinet Departments, the nine largest firms in the U.S., the six largest energy companies operating in the U.S., and the five largest U.S. banking institutions. The firm has also completed more than 1,000 public policy studies on a variety of issues.