News - Magazine Article

Valet Service at Dallas Fort Worth International Proves Successful

With more than 70 years of combined experience in the hospitality and travel industries, an international airport, a parking management operator
and a valet technology upstart have affirmed the philosophy that teamwork equals results.

Every week, every day, and every hour, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the site of a mindboggling amount of traffic – both in the sky and on the ground. And as the second largest airport in the United States, its standards for operation and need for innovation are high.

The facility covers 29 square miles. It has 60,000 onsite staff members and a payroll of $7.6 billion. In 2007, more than five million passengers walked its terminals. Approximately 164,000 travelers pass through DFW on their way to one of 173 destinations every day. Some are on connecting flights, but large numbers enter the facility by car.

The airport has provided valet service in the past, but contractors found the facility’s quirks challenging. There is no power or internet service in any of its 14 pick up and delivery areas. Valet customers often waited more than 30 minutes for their cars.

In early 2008, the airport offered Parking Concepts, Inc., (PCI) a contract to bring reliable valet service to its passengers. Since its first day of operation in March, PCI has met with rapid success, according to DFW officials.

“DFW has seen thousands of customers try the new valet service in its first five months of operation,” said Dean Ahmad, assistant vice president of the Parking Business Unit at DFW. “PCI has been a great partner and is performing at levels several times higher than what DFW had expected for this time period. DFW encourages reservations, but thus far most drivers are taking advantage of our drive-up service.”

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