American Airlines is looking to build a new $100 million flight kitchen at DFW International Airport, the carrier’s biggest hub.
American is asking the airport board to lease it 21.5 acres on the southwest portion of the property for a “state-of-the-art facility to support the catering needs for AA’s growing operations at DFW,” according to documents for the board’s upcoming meeting.
“The current catering kitchen was built in 1982 and is too small and inefficient for today’s needs," said a statement from American Airlines spokeswoman Annie Lorenzana. "A new kitchen is critical to enable future expansion, including terminal F.”
The new flight kitchen would be the latest in a series of expensive capital projects that American Airlines is undertaking in North Texas, including a $100 million parts distribution warehouse at DFW Airport, a new $250 million hotel and training center for flight attendants, as well as a brand new $350 million corporate campus building in Fort Worth that opened this summer.
American has also agreed with DFW Airport to help construct a new $3 billion terminal set to open around 2025.
American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, operates about 900 flights out of DFW Airport and has been revamping much of its dining offerings for premium flyers and users of its frequent flyers lounges. It recently paired with the James Beard Foundation and chef Sarah Grueneberg to create dishes such as artichoke ravioli, spinach and ricotta rotolo pasta and mushroom bolognese.
Lorenzana said the company would provide more details after the airport board votes on the project Thursday.
American Airlines uses contractors such as LSG Sky Chefs for its food operations, although Sky Chefs’ union workers have been targeting the airline because of low wages and benefits.
The new kitchen would continue to be operated by LSG Sky Chefs under its current contract with American Airlines, Lorenzana said.
American Airlines’ rent on the property would start at $645,820 a year and increase throughout the 40-year agreement, according to the airport board. American would pay $39 million over the life of the lease. The company would be responsible for constructing the building and upkeep.
American also pays a fee of 5% to the airport for all on-site catering sales and 3% of nonairport catering sales.
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