SPI Insights

The innovation department at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is embarking on several cutting-edge projects to deliver new products and services to the airport that support its operations.

Airport innovators also are considering air taxis with a mission to conduct test flights by December 2020 between the airport’s corporate aviation area and a helipad in the city of Frisco. Department officials said their three-year plan envisions an estimated 200 daily flights once the facilities and services are fully operational. Frisco’s mayor said passengers will be able to reach the airport in seven minutes via air taxi.

Other ideas include expansion of facial recognition technology for passengers to check in or drop off checked bags. Currently, two carriers are using the technology in their passenger boarding process.

The department’s first project for autonomous vehicles (AVs) will enter the test pilot phase in November with a contract approved last week for the vehicles to transport people from the airport’s south parking lot to the lot’s bus terminal.