Member News

DAL Wins Multiple Categories at Inaugural AirportNEXT Awards

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) has been recognized with several prestigious honors at the first-ever AirportNEXT Awards. The airport won the Overall Award for Tier 4 Airports, which includes facilities serving more than 16 million passengers annually. DAL also secured awards in the Infrastructure and Facilities – Security category and Stakeholder Alignment – Government. These accolades highlight the airport’s exceptional operations and strong relationships with its stakeholders. The AirportNEXT program, launched by Airports Council International—North America (ACI-NA), celebrated these achievements at the 2024 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Airport Director Patrick Carreno emphasized DAL’s commitment to integrating top-notch infrastructure, effective processes, and robust community partnerships to serve nearly 18 million passengers each year. The AirportNEXT initiative, which began as a pilot project, aims to enhance stakeholder engagement and operational effectiveness across U.S. and Canadian airports. For more insights into the AirportNEXT program and its impact, check out the full article.

Wisk Aero and Houston Airports Partner for Autonomous Air Taxis in Houston

Wisk Aero and Houston Airports have announced a new partnership to introduce autonomous air taxis to the Greater Houston Region.

This collaboration includes identifying and assessing locations for vertiport infrastructure at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport. The initiative also aims to explore maintenance and training facilities and engage with local stakeholders to develop routes connecting Houston airports with the surrounding region. Wisk's 6th Generation aircraft, which are fully electric and significantly quieter than traditional helicopters, will play a key role in this innovative transportation solution.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Wisk CEO Brian Yutko highlighted the partnership’s potential to revolutionize urban mobility and drive economic growth. Over the next year, the two organizations will work together on infrastructure development, route planning, and regulatory discussions with the FAA. This agreement builds on Wisk’s earlier partnership with the City of Sugar Land and underscores Houston’s commitment to leading advancements in advanced air mobility. For more details, read the full press release.