Dallas City Council Approves 12-Year Lease Extension For Southwest Airlines At Love Field
The Dallas City Council has approved a lease extension for Southwest Airlines to operate 18 gates at Dallas Love Field through September 2040, extending the carrier's presence at its historic home base by 12 years.
The move addresses anticipated passenger growth and secures long-term operational stability for the airport that served over 16 million travelers last year.
Southwest's current lease was set to expire in September 2028, but city aviation officials pushed for an early renewal to lock in predictable costs per passenger. The proactive approach comes as Love Field prepares for projected annual enplanements to reach 10 million by late 2026.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson praised the partnership during the council's deliberations.
'I am proud to see Dallas extend its longstanding partnership with Southwest Airlines,' Johnson said, as reported by city officials. 'For over 50 years, Southwest has been the cornerstone of Dallas Love Field Airport and a key economic partner to our city.'
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan emphasized the airline's deep roots at Love Field, dating back to its inaugural flight in 1971.
'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,' Jordan said.
The airline executive highlighted Southwest's mission to 'connect People to what matters most in their lives with friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel.'
The extended agreement includes provisions for capital investments aimed at enhancing passenger experience and airport infrastructure. These improvements will help Love Field maintain its status as the busiest medium-hub airport in the United States.
Located just seven miles from downtown Dallas, Love Field contributes more than $5.6 billion in annual economic activity to the region. The airport supports approximately 28,000 local jobs and generates $1.7 billion in labor income each year.
The facility has earned recognition from industry groups, including ACI-World's Airport Service Quality awards and ACI-NA's MarComCX honors. Still, managing projected growth while maintaining service quality remains a key challenge for airport administrators.
The lease extension provides Southwest with operational certainty as the carrier continues expanding its network from its original hub. For Dallas, it ensures continued access to affordable air travel options for residents and businesses throughout the metropolitan area.
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