Aviation Director says, although growth remains restricted, preparing for the possible addition of 12 additional gates means “thinking about the future.”
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The $2.5 billion Love Field Expansion Airport Program is the largest expansion project in the facility’s history. But it’s currently not expected to add any gates because of federal law that restricts traffic at the Dallas aviation hub.
However, that hasn’t stopped city leaders from preparing for the possibility of gate expansion. According to a Feb. 4 presentation to the Dallas City Council, the new airline use and lease agreement between the city and Southwest Airlines, approved in May 2025 includes $800 million in pre-approved terminal funding. Of that, up to $600 million could eventually be used for 12 additional gates, growing Love Field to 32 gates from its current 20.
An agreement between Southwest, American Airlines, the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and DFW Airport in 2006 to reform the Wright Amendment limits Southwest to 20 gates at Love Field. The airport also cannot offer international flights. At the time, it deal aimed to to prevent Love Field from becoming a competitor to DFW Airport.
The existing terminal processing facility, where ticketing and baggage claim is located, will eventually “go away” and be moved to where Garage A currently stands. The existing terminal facility will be “repurposed,” Carreno said, while Garage A will be demolished. While the demolition of Garage A will remove around 3,000 spots, Carreno expressed confidence that the airport will have sufficient parking until a new Garage D is built.
