Dallas City Council extends Southwest Airlines’ lease for gates at Love Field
The Dallas City Council has voted to extend Southwest Airlines’ lease for 18 gates at Dallas Love Field (DAL) until September 2040. The current lease expires in September 2028, but the Department of Aviation proposed the early completion of a new and subsequent Use and Lease Agreement with the airline.
This proactive step secures predictable costs per enplanement and ensures financial and operational stability as passenger volumes continue growing. In the 2024 calendar year, the airport served over 16 million passengers.
“I am proud to see Dallas extend its longstanding partnership with Southwest Airlines,” said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “For over 50 years, Southwest has been the cornerstone of Dallas Love Field Airport and a key economic partner to our city. With this renewed commitment, I am excited to see our partnership with Southwest move forward stronger than ever.”
This agreement ensures that DAL can begin relieving congestion, continue efficient operations, and preserve vital airline service for Dallas residents and businesses.
“We applaud the leadership of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in helping secure Southwest’s long-term future at Dallas Love Field,” said Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines. “Our first flight took off from Love Field in 1971, and our purpose today is just as fulfilling as it was then—to connect People to what matters most in their lives with friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. The capital investments under this new agreement will help ensure our home at Love Field remains a premier airport with enhancements to the Customer experience for years to come.”
Finalizing the agreement at this stage provides a strong foundation for long-term planning and investment, helping to position Dallas Love Field to meet rising passenger demand. With annual enplanements projected to reach approximately 10 million by the end of 2026, it is important for the city to implement preemptive infrastructure and operational strategies to support that growth.
About DAL:
Centrally located within seven miles of Downtown Dallas, Dallas Love Field (DAL) serves approximately 17 million passengers annually. As the busiest medium hub airport in the U.S. and a frequent recipient of prestigious awards such as ACI-World’s Airport Service Quality, ACI-NA’s MarComCX, and others, DAL continues to lead the evolution of the airport experience. Historically contributing over $5.6 billion in economic activity and boosting labor income by $1.7 billion through more than 28,000 local jobs annually, the airport looks forward to further developing its footprint and level of exceptional aviation services.
