On Jan. 13, 2024, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will begin a yearlong celebration of 50 years connecting North Texas to the world with an exciting range of special events, activities and surprises throughout the year. Ahead of the 50th anniversary next year, the airport commemorates the community milestone that took place during the third week of September 1973 when the Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth joined with the newly created DFW Airport Board to host a series of dedication events that lasted several days.
"DFW will enter its golden year in 2024 as the second-busiest airport in the world, built on a halfcentury legacy of growth, innovation and unparalleled support from the community and business partners we serve, along with our owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth,” said DFW Chief Executive Officer Sean Donohue. “As we reflect this week on the dedication events that many people in our community remember fondly, we are eager to share that same spirit of adventure with our customers, partners and neighbors during our upcoming anniversary year."
The dedication events took advantage of the new airport’s facilities prior to the start of commercial operations four months later, and included the landing of the supersonic Concorde jet on Sept. 20, 1973. The event was the first time the Concorde landed in the United States, and put an international spotlight on DFW’s role in significantly advancing aviation infrastructure for North Texas. Tens of thousands of people attended the dedication ceremony on Sept. 22, 1973, which included an air show and static exhibits.
At the time, DFW was the largest airport ever constructed in the U.S., and was twice the size of any before it. Today, DFW is the second-largest airport by land size in the U.S. and the secondbusiest airport in the world, serving more than 250 destinations and an estimated 80 million passengers in 2023.
In the months ahead, DFW will share additional details about the celebrations and memorable moments to come during its 50th anniversary year.
