How Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is using modular construction to reduce development costs and timelines

Abstract

Construction is one of the biggest challenges facing airports. Not only can construction negatively affect the airport experience for millions of passengers, it also can severely hamper airport operations and revenue. Yet, until recently, nearly allairport construction was performed in a similar fashion with whole sections of airports being shut down for months — often years — to build and/or renovate space from scratch. Modular construction represents a radical departure from this conventional building process. By constructing whole sections of a building off-site or landside, modular construction can dramatically minimise disruptions to airport operations and drive costs down by opening labour markets to expanded pools of talent. This paper will examine how modular construction has evolved, how it is currently being used in the renovation of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Pier A and C expansion and how it could revolutionise amenity design and concession leasing.