Airport's 1500+ regular staff employees will remain eligible for pay increases

DFW International Airport's Board of Directors and CEO Jeff Fegan announced Thursday that they would withhold any pay increases for the Airport's senior staff and management team until at least mid-2005.  The move comes amid concerns about the Airport's financial outlook in the wake of Delta's reduction of flights at DFW and the uncertainty of leasing 24 empty gates.

It is the third time since 9/11 that senior staff members have not received approved pay increases.  The announcement was made after the Board gave CEO Fegan and VP of Audit Services Rob Darby "exemplary" ratings on their annual performance reviews in today's Board meeting.  Fegan and Darby are part of the Airport's 44-member senior leadership team.

The Airport’s 1572 regular staff employees will still be eligible for pay increases approved by the Board in September.  Those increases will take effect in January.

"Our senior staff has done a terrific job of navigating this Airport through tough times following 9/11 and bringing us back for the benefit of all of North Texas and our economy," said Max Wells, DFW Board Chairman.  "While their approved pay increases are well-deserved and hard-earned, we felt this action was one more financial step we needed to take until the situation in Terminal E is resolved.  We will continue to look to Jeff and the entire senior staff team for leadership and guidance in the challenging months ahead."

The Airport's senior management team did not receive pay increases for one year following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.  Pay increases were also delayed six months in 2003, as DFW and the aviation industry dealt with a soft economy, SARS and continued airline turmoil.  The Board will review the Airport’s financial circumstances next June before any increase is authorized.

"The Board is very pleased with the performance of this senior team, and I am indeed grateful to lead a staff that is routinely viewed by its peers and competitors as the best in the business and willing to make sacrifices for our business," said Fegan (above, right).  "We also know that the families of these dedicated men and women also routinely make sacrifices for our Airport.  We certainly hope we can reinstate the approved increases later next year.  And rest assured we will all be working hard to fill the void left by Delta and continue to make this Airport the economic engine of our community."

FMI: www.dfwairport.com