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City Profile
THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT SYSTEM
Fort Worth has a long-standing commitment to aviation. From the landing of the first airplane in Fort Worth in 1915
to today, Fort Worth has understood and served the needs of the aviation industry. The city is home to Lockheed,
American Airlines, Bell Helicopter Textron, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, and hundreds of other
aviation-related businesses. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, owned jointly by the two cities and operated
by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board, stands as a symbol of excellence to which the city is committed.
An integral part of this dedication is exhibited by the City of Fort Worth's Aviation Department which consists of
three municipal airports. These airports and their characteristics are as follows:
Fort Worth Meacham International Airport
In operation since 1925, Meacham was Fort Worth’s first general aviation airport. Situated on 900 acres and located
5 miles to the north of downtown Fort Worth, the airport has become North Texas’s premier corporate facility. With
two runways, the longest being 7,502 feet in length, it can accommodate up to a Boeing 747. Airport amenities
include US Customs office, major aircraft maintenance and storage, flight training, 24/7 air traffic control tower,
dedicated fire station, 24 hour aviation services and two award-winning fixed based operators. With over 316 based
aircraft, the airport manages and holds 152 leases for facilities. Meacham ranks 7th in total flight operations out of
278 general aviation airports in Texas, behind only commercial air service airports such as DFW, Houston
Intercontinental and Austin Bergstrom. Meacham’s strategic location combined with its considerable amenities is a
key factor to the City of Fort Worth’s economic vitality.
Fort Worth Spinks Airport
Established in 1988, Spinks is situated on 822 acres and is located 13 miles south of downtown Fort Worth. Spinks
has a 6,000 foot long paved runway and a 3,600 foot long turf runway, an air traffic control tower, aircraft paint and
maintenance services, flight training, and a fixed based operator. Spinks has 220 based aircraft and 135 facility leases.
For Fiscal Year 2021, $3.4M investment is being made in 12 box hangers to help alleviate aircraft storage demand in
Fort Worth. It has seen a 22% increase in flight operation in the last 5 years. Bypassing DFW Class B airspace and
easy access to I-35W in the I-35 south industrial corridor, Spinks airport is well-positioned to serve south Fort Worth
and surrounding communities.
Alliance Airport
Opening in 1989, Alliance airport is the world’s first industrial airport and is the centerpiece of a 26,000 acre master-
planned development know as Alliance Texas. The airport was built to primarily accommodate large industrial and
cargo operators but also serves the general aviation community. Owned by the City of Fort Worth and operated
under a management agreement by Alliance Air Services; a subsidiary of Hillwood Development Company, LLC.,
Alliance boasts two 11,000 foot long runways and sits on 1,200 acres of land. Amenities include a US Customs office,
a fixed base operator, air traffic control tower, and maintenance and repair facilities. The airport has seen a 131%
increase in air cargo carrier operations, jumping from 5,338 to 12,355 over the last 4 years, in large part as a result
of two significant sorting and package delivery service providers, Federal Express and Amazon. Strategically located
between I-35W and BNSF railway, Alliance is poised for growth in the upcoming years.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Under the laws of the State of Texas, municipal employees cannot strike, be forced to join a union, pay dues for
union membership, or collectively bargain for wages, hours, or working conditions; however, they may form
associations for the presentation of grievances. State law, however, provides for local referenda on collective
bargaining for police and firefighters. Under prior elections, police officers have the right to meet and confer and
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