DFW Airport started construction on its sixth terminal on Monday. Terminal F will be south of Terminal D and across International Parkway from Terminal E.
"Growth and excitement continues to spread throughout the North Texas region," DeMetris Sampson, chair of the airport's board of directors, said at a groundbreaking Tuesday.
Last year, DFW Airport had 82 million passengers. Chief Executive Sean Donohue said he expects to reach 90 million this year and 100 million by 2028.
"Today we celebrate the future of DFW, one of growth and expansion," he said.
Terminal F will have a Skylink station to accommodate people trying to reach connecting flights. The terminal will cover 400,000 square feet and include "state of the art facilities as well as world-class options to shop, dine and relax."
"When it opens, Terminal F will have 15 gates and be a great experience for our customers," Donohue said.
The project is expected to cost $1.6 billion and is part of the airport's $9 billion "DFW Forward" plan, which will also add five gates in Terminal A and four gates in Terminal C. Terminal C is also being rebuilt with a more open floor plan and natural light.
Terminal F is being built in a modular style similar to the technique used to add gates at Terminals A and C. The buildings are constructed off-site and then trucked into place to reduce the impact on existing facilities during the process.
Donohue said Terminal F would open with 15 gates but is designed with room for additional capacity.
"That's a very, very important point as we continue to grow the airport and the region," he said.
Terminal F is expected to open in 2027. People flying out of Terminal F will check in and check bags in Terminal E and use Skylink to reach their gate.
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