Dallas Love Field

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Dallas, TX · DAL

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Recent News

Updated Mar 1, 2026
McKinney National Airport on track to open as Dallas' third commercial airport

McKinney National Airport is on track to open as a commercial airport by year-end 2026, becoming the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's third commercial airport alongside DFW and Love Field. The airport will offer a performance-based cost structure designed to be a fraction of operating costs at DFW or Love Field.

Simple Flying·Feb 27, 2026
Love Field area infrastructure projects target spring completion ahead of World Cup

Multiple infrastructure projects around Dallas Love Field Airport are on target for spring 2026 completion ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The airport is working toward increasing its accreditation from Level 4 to Level 4+, and 28 underground storage tanks have been removed with eight more scheduled for removal in 2026.

CandysDirt.com·Feb 17, 2026
Dallas Love Field unveils $2.5B expansion program with potential for 12 new gates

Dallas Love Field's $2.5 billion Love Field Expansion Airport Program is the largest in the facility's history. The new airline use and lease agreement with Southwest Airlines approved in May 2025 includes $800 million in pre-approved terminal funding, with up to $600 million potentially used for 12 additional gates if federal restrictions are modified.

WFAA·Feb 6, 2026
Dallas extends Southwest Airlines lease at Love Field through 2040

The Dallas City Council extended Southwest Airlines' lease for 18 gates at Dallas Love Field until September 2040, completing a new Use and Lease Agreement early before the current lease expires in September 2028. The airport served over 16 million passengers in the 2024 calendar year with enplanements projected to reach 10 million by end of 2026.

Dallas City News Hub·Feb 4, 2026

Airport Profile

Governing EntityCity of Dallas, Department of Aviation
Entity TypeCity Department
Fiscal Year EndSeptember
Bond TypeGARB
Rate MethodologyHybrid Compensatory
AUA StatusActive
Agreement Period2008-10-01 – 2028-09-30
S&PA-
FitchA

Key Financial Data (FY 2024)

CPE$10.43
Signatory Landing Fee$3.2000
Enplanements8,940,207
Total Operating Revenue$199.5M
Total Operating Expense$175.1M
Operating Income$24.4M
Total Debt$625.2M
Rate Covenant1.25x
DSC Ratio1.27x
Unrestricted Cash$221.6M
Landed Weight (1000 lbs)10,158,380

Enplaned Passengers (T-100)

6.8M-21.6%

Cost per Enplanement (CPE)

$10.43+15.5%

Revenue

$199.5M+11.4%

Expense

$175.1M+19.6%

Ratemaking Overview

Overall MethodologyHybrid Compensatory

Settlement & True-Up

Not available

Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)

ECP TypeNone

Not available

Landing Fee Methodology

MethodologyResidual

Not available

Terminal Rental Rate

Not available

Common Use & Gate Allocation

Additional Bonds Test

Either (i) Airport Consultant projects Net Revenues for 3 consecutive Fiscal Years ≥ 1.25x Average Annual Debt Service on all Outstanding Parity Bonds plus Additional Parity Bonds, or (ii) certificate from Aviation Director and CFO showing Net Revenues for most recent complete Fiscal Year or any consecutive 12 of most recent 18 months ≥ 1.10x Maximum Annual Debt Service. Exemptions: (A) first $250M for Parking Garage and initial issuance, (B) refunding bonds that reduce maximum debt service. Other conditions: Additional Parity Bonds must mature on Principal Installment Payment Dates; Reserve Fund must equal Reserve Requirement after issuance; Corporation must not be in material default.

Rate Covenant

Covenant Ratio1.25x

Net Revenues for each Fiscal Year at least equal to 1.25 times the Average Annual Debt Service on all outstanding Parity Bonds and Additional Parity Bonds scheduled to occur during each respective Fiscal Year

Flow of Funds

From Pledged Revenue Fund: (A) First, to Debt Service Fund for principal and interest on General Airport Revenue Bonds; (B) Second, to Reserve Fund to maintain Reserve Requirement; (C) Third, to Trustee and Paying Agent/Registrar fees and expenses; (D) Fourth, to Subordinate Lien Obligations; (E) Fifth, to Project Fund for Love Field improvements as agreed by City and Corporation.

1.Debt Service Fund — Amounts necessary to make deposits no less than principal and interest due on General Airport Revenue Bonds on each Interest Payment Date and Principal Installment Payment Date in the then current Fiscal Year
2.Reserve Fund — Amounts required to attain or maintain the Reserve Requirement
3.Trustee and Paying Agent/Registrar Fees — Payment of fees and expenses due and owing in the then current Fiscal Year
4.Subordinate Lien Obligations — To any fund or account created for the benefit of any Subordinate Lien Obligations issued or incurred by the Corporation, provided deposits to priorities 1-3 have been made
5.Project Fund — As directed by the Corporation, to pay for services, improvements or other costs of improvements to Love Field as agreed to by the City and Corporation, provided deposits to priorities 1-4 have been made

Source Documents

Official Statements

DAL-2021-OS.pdf

Financial Statements

DAL 2024 FS.pdf

Airline Use Agreements

DAL-2008-2028-AUA.pdf

Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting