After nearly 30 years with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, CEO Jeff Fegan is stepping down. He broke the news to the airport’s board Jan. 10.
Fegan said in a statement that it seemed to “be the right time to pass the baton to the next generation of leadership.”
He’s ending his 19-year tenure as CEO on a high note. The airport has just completed the best two years in its history. With seven runways, five terminals, 175 gates, D/FW is the highest capacity and fourth-busiest airport in the world. A $2.3 billion initiative is currently under way to modernize its older terminals.
“The strategy is in place, the course set, and momentum is strong to achieve results which will carry DFW Airport into the future,” Fegan said. “DFW is cost competitive and financially strong. The next five years and beyond will be even more exciting for DFW and the region.”
Fegan, who was profiled in a D CEO feature a couple of years back, said he’s leaving to pursue other career and personal interests.
Board Chairman Robert Hsueh praised the longtime CEO for his achievements. “He is known internationally as one of the world’s leading authorities in airport planning, management, and commercialization. DFW has achieved prominence in large part due to his innovative vision and inclusive, thoughtful leadership,” Hsueh said.
The board will appoint a search group to initiate a search for Fegan’s successor. Fegan will remain on board through September 2013, or until a new CEO is in place.
Here are additional details, taken from a D/FW International Airport press release:
Since taking the helm as one of the youngest airport CEOs in the country in 1994 at age 39, Fegan oversaw the growth and development of the 18,000 acre DFW Airport from a $217 million per year enterprise to one with over $650 million dollars a year in revenues. His leadership was instrumental in supporting American Airlines’ growth and development at DFW. Today DFW is not only the largest hub for American Airlines, but the largest hub for the 12 airline member oneworld Alliance. Fegan also worked to bring competitive air service to DFW, including most recently, Qantas, Emirates, AeroMexico, Cayman Airways, Virgin America, Spirit and Jet Blue, expanding direct destinations and options for travelers.
“Under Jeff’s leadership, the strategy and plans are in place that will take us through the next five years,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “Following the best two years in DFW Airport’s history, it seems a great time for Jeff to choose this time to help DFW transition to the next leader. DFW has gained from Jeff’s broad expertise on many fronts. He is a steadfast champion of diversity and inclusion, and has truly advanced DFW Airport as the economic engine of the region. Over the last two years in particular, he has successfully expanded international service, bringing new international air carriers to DFW with routes to Australia with Qantas and to the Middle East with Emirates – each bringing year-over-year economic impact of over $220 million to the citizens of Dallas, Fort Worth and the region. DFW Airport will miss Jeff, but he has put in place a strong and capable leadership team regarded as the best in the airport industry.”
“We congratulate Jeff Fegan on a remarkable career at DFW Airport. As the largest hub for American Airlines, DFW Airport increased international destinations from 24 in 1994 to 50 today, increased domestic destinations from 113 to 148, and we now have more than 50 international air cargo departures each week to 16 cargo hubs worldwide. DFW Airport served 58 million passengers last year alone as the gateway to North Texas.” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Add this tremendous growth to DFW Airport’s consistent rating among the top five airports in the world for customer service, and the result of Jeff’s leadership is unmistakable. Jeff has enjoyed a long and distinguished run at the Airport, and he has led a management team that achieved worldwide acclaim for Fort Worth, Dallas and all of the communities of North Texas. We’ll miss Jeff, but wish him the very best in his retirement.”
During his tenure, Fegan led the development and implementation of DFW’s first Strategic Plan and the Airport’s Master Plan, and he worked closely with stakeholders to address community concerns related to airport expansion. He successfully led the Airport through multiple economic downturns, waves of airline industry restructuring and consolidation, and the challenges for DFW following the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
Under Fegan’s leadership, DFW expanded airfield capacity. The seventh runway (17 Left 35 Right) was built, and DFW’s four primary north-south runways were extended by 2000 feet each to ensure DFW readiness into the future for next generation long-haul aircraft. The innovative southeast perimeter taxiway was also built allowing aircraft to land and proceed directly to their gates without having to cross an active runway.
In 2005, a $2.8 billion capital development plan was completed, which included construction of International Terminal D and the Skylink people mover system, which has made DFW one of the most efficient connecting hubs in the world. The project also included construction of the Grand Hyatt DFW – an acclaimed hotel earning top awards worldwide.
Other achievements of note include the development of the consolidated DFW Rental Car Center, International Commerce Park, the International Air Cargo Center, DFW’s Corporate Aviation, Founders’ Plaza observation center, and establishment of the Airport Operations Center (AOC), Emergency Operations Center (EOC), DFW Fire Training Research Center and the DFW Airport Wellness Center.
