The legacy of H. Ross Perot Sr. continues to grow as the 33-year-old Fort Worth Alliance Airport now officially bears his name.
Perot believed the airport—the first industrial airport in the world—would be a global hub for the jobs of tomorrow, and it has since become a commerce and research center of world renown.
Hillwood, the city of Fort Worth, and the Federal Aviation Administration officially recognized the airport’s name change to Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport during a special dedication ceremony recently, with distinguished guests, dignitaries, elected officials and community leaders who were instrumental in its development on hand to mark the occasion, Hillwood said.
‘The centerpiece of an unprecedented jobs corridor’
Ross Perot, Jr., speaking at the renaming ceremony. [Photo: Grant Miller Photography]
“My dad wholeheartedly believed Fort Worth Alliance Airport would be the centerpiece of an unprecedented jobs corridor in Texas,” Ross Perot Jr., chairman of The Perot Group and Hillwood, said in a statement. “Investing in the northwest corner of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex mattered to him, and he immediately saw its potential.”
“The airport became the catalyst for one of the great Texas business stories of our day, and we’re only halfway through. Development at AllianceTexas will continue on for at least another generation, which will help to ensure a future for our children and hopefully their children, too,” he added.
The airport opened on Dec. 14, 1989, and was the first in the world designated specifically for industrial use.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker speaking at the renaming ceremony. [Photo: Grant Miller Photography]
Guests at the renaming ceremony included Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, T. Allan McArtor, former Federal Aviation Administration Administrator; Ignacio Flores, FAA Director of Airports for the Southwest Region; Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group; and Mike Berry, president of Hillwood.
The event concluded with Mike Berry revealing plans for Perot Plaza, a memorial plaza honoring Perot, Sr., on the west side of the air traffic control tower, complementing Bob Bolen Plaza and the Honor Guard installation. The plaza will feature a bronze statue of the founder, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
Cornerstone of the 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development
Part of the original team that developed the airport: Tom Harris, executive vice president of Hillwood; Russell Laughlin, executive vice president of Hillwood; Isaac Manning, president and CEO of Trinity Works (former Hillwood executive); Bill Burton, executive vice president of Hillwood; Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group, who led the airport’s development; Tom Luce, founding partner of Hughes and Luce (now K&L Gates); Mike Berry, president of Hillwood; Darcy Anderson, vice chairman of Hillwood; Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). [Photo: Grant Miller Photography]
Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport features a wide array of flight services including air cargo, corporate, and government aviation, and is the cornerstone of one of the nation’s most successful private-public partnerships, the 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development.
The airport was created from a collaboration between Hillwood, the city of Fort Worth, and the FAA.
Hillwood said that the airport has served as a premier destination for aviation and global logistics leaders at AllianceTexas. It has contributed to more than $100 billion in cumulative economic impact to the region since its inception.
“AllianceTexas, anchored by the world’s first industrial airport, has proven to be a modern-day, Texas-sized success story, encapsulating the pioneering and can-do spirit so often associated with the state,” Fort Worth Mayor Parker said in a statement.
“The development has contributed to more than $100 billion in cumulative economic impact to the region since its inception, as well as more than $3.1 billion in paid property taxes, including $621.5 million to Fort Worth alone,” the mayor said. “Fort Worth will remain a full-fledged partner with Alliance Airport and AllianceTexas, just as it has been since Day 1 with former mayors Bob Bolen and Kay Granger.”
Guests toured the airport’s new facility
Alliance Aviation Services FBO facility at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport [Photo: Alliance Aviation Services]
Guests toured the new state-of-the-art facility at 13901 Aviator Way, which is a continuation of Alliance Aviation Services’ three-decade legacy of providing best-in-class and award-winning support services to general and corporate aviation as well as military and air cargo operations.
Designed by Corgan Architects and Amaze Design, the Fixed Based Operator space encompasses more than 20,000 square feet of highly amenitized lounges and meeting facilities as well as an additional 68,000 square feet of attached hangar space.
Alliance Aviation Services has six hangars totaling roughly 200,000 square feet of space to support the growing fleet of based aircraft. Expanding upon the current FBO full-service offerings, the new space will allow for additional, first-class accommodations for flight crews, as well as more flexible, spacious lounges for pilots and passengers. Outdoor seating with ramp views has been integrated into the landscape as well, Hillwood said.
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