After a 40-year career in aviation, DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue is coming in for a landing.

Donohue announced Tuesday that he will retire in 2025, 12 years after taking up his post at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. During his tenure, he oversaw the wrapping up of a 10-year use and lease agreement with the airlines that serve DFW, setting the stage for the airport’s $9 billion “DFW Forward” capital improvement program. The high-dollar program will reimagine Terminal C and construct a new Terminal F, along with making improvements to roads and other airport facilities through the end of this decade.

The DFW Airport board of directors are initiating a global search for Mr. Donohue’s successor, the airport said, noting that Donohue will support the transition as the search for his successor is underway

Rendering of DFW Airport’s forthcoming Terminal F [Image: DFW Airport]

“It’s with mixed emotions that I’ve decided the time has come to pass the torch at DFW and begin a new chapter in my own life, after four decades of service to the aviation industry,” Donohue said in a statement. “Aviation has taken me to nearly every corner of the world and led me to the great privilege of overseeing the best airport in the business.”

“In many ways, the story of DFW and North Texas are the same, having grown and supported one another for 50 years,” he added. “I thank Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, the DFW board of directors led by Chair DeMetris Sampson, along with our employees, business partners, customers and community for allowing me to serve and leave DFW in a strong position to take on the next five decades.”

Strengthening DFW into the world’s third-busiest airport

While leading DFW Airport, Donohue has overseen “significant growth and development,” the airport said, strengthening DFW’s position as a key transportation hub connecting North Texas to more than 250 destinations on five continents.

During his time as CEO, DFW Airport reached some big milestones. It grew to become the third-busiest airport in the world; became the world’s largest and North America’s first carbon-neutral airport; and increased the airport’s economic influence to support more than $38 billion in annual payroll with 634,000 jobs, generating $5 billion in state and local taxes annually, the airport said.

A rendering of DFW Airport’s reconstruction of Terminal C [Image: DFW Airport]

DFW Airport is also on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions before 2030, more than 20 years ahead of industry goals, the airport said.

“Sean’s impact on DFW Airport and the broader aviation industry cannot be overstated,” DFW’s board chair, DeMetris Sampson, said in a statement. “His leadership and vision have guided DFW through periods of historic challenges and significant growth. He has ensured that the business opportunities at the airport are open to all, and helped develop an airport that our community should be exceedingly proud of. Sean’s legacy will be felt for decades to come, and the board wishes him the best in his well-earned retirement.”

D and FW mayors laud his service 

“Around the world, DFW Airport is known among the best in the aviation industry, and that reputation has been earned in no small part due to the steadfast leadership of CEO Sean Donohue,” Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson said in a statement. “The city of Dallas commends Sean on his decade-long tenure at DFW, and for the growth and prosperity that DFW has created for our city, region and communities. I wish him well in retirement and I know that he leaves the airport in a position of strength as we move into DFW’s next chapter.”

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker called Donohue “a remarkable leader who has pushed DFW airport to even greater heights during his decade-long tenure as CEO of one of the world’s most successful airports.”

“His dedication has left a lasting impact on Fort Worth, North Texas, and the airport itself,” she added. “I thank him for his outstanding service and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement, knowing that DFW Airport’s future is bright, thanks to the foundation he built.”

Navigating the pandemic with no employee furloughs

Today, DFW is in the strongest financial position in its 50-year history, after emerging from the pandemic faster than many other global hubs, the airport said. In a time of global shutdowns and layoffs, no DFW Airport employees were furloughed during the pandemic, enabling the airport to continue serving transportation and cargo needs while gearing up for the return of travelers.

DFW’s FY2024 passenger traffic is expected to reach a record of nearly 87 million passengers, an increase of nearly 19% compared with 73.3 million passengers in FY2019, the airport said. That growth is one of the reasons Airports Council International has DFW as the best large airport in North America for customer satisfaction for the last two consecutive years.

Previously held roles at Virgin Australia and United Airlines

Prior to joining DFW Airport, Donohue had a 29-year career in the airline industry, holding key executive roles with Virgin Australia Airlines and United Airlines. He serves as the co-chair of the Aviation and Aerospace Committee as part of the World Economic Forum.

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