Dallas/Fort Worth airport secures Shanghai and Hong Kong services, seeks Beijing and maybe Istanbul

With the launch of services to Hong Kong and Shanghai in Jun-2014, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) airport is nearing the completion of its Asian passenger service network coverage, which also includes Seoul and Tokyo. The last outstanding route for DFW is Beijing, and locally-based American Airlines has spoken of flying Dallas-Beijing in the near future once it receives suitable slots. DFW expects further Asian services - probably to secondary Chinese cities - to be realised in the long term.

DFW's attention now turns eastward. It would like to see a Turkish Airlines service from Istanbul, but does not expect the Star Alliance's Turkish to take up the route, given oneworld American Airlines' fortress size in Dallas. DFW has done well with Gulf network carriers, with all three offering services, including Emirates with the A380. Also on DFW's passenger wish list are services to Johannesburg, Rome and Zurich. But in the short term bigger developments can be expected on the cargo side as carriers look to deploy 747-8 freighters, for which DFW is making improvements. DFW has service from 11 freight airlines.