Joel Jenkinson, Director, Addison Airport
In an interview with Invest:, Joel Jenkinson, director of Addison Airport, highlighted the development of Sky Harbour’s high-end hangar facilities. Jenkinson touched on sustainability efforts and the airport’s preparation for electric aviation and drone technology as part of its growth strategy.
How has Addison Airport adapted to Texas’ strong economic growth, and what developments are underway?
Texas has consistently outperformed much of the country in economic development, with the Dallas Federal Reserve area showing stronger growth than most regions. Addison Airport has experienced this high demand, leading to multiple construction projects. One significant development is Sky Harbour’s high-end hangar facilities, with the first phase involving six hangars totaling 110,000 square feet and over $20 million in investment. Phase 2 is in planning, adding another four hangars and almost 100,000 square feet with similar investment levels. This growth reflects the region’s robust economic environment.
What type of aviation traffic does Addison Airport serve compared to major airports in the region?
Addison Airport is relatively small, covering just 386 acres. It has no new space for development, so we’ve focused on redeveloping older facilities, replacing outdated structures with larger, high-end ones to meet growing demand. We primarily serve business aviation, accommodating aircraft ranging from small jets and turboprops to intercontinental planes like Gulfstream and Bombardier Global Express. We can also handle Boeing Business Jets, though that’s the largest plane we can accommodate. Unlike Dallas Fort Worth International and Love Field, which cater to airlines, Addison is dedicated to business aviation, offering a strategic location near major roadways and business centers, which attracts a strong customer base of time-conscious businesses and individuals.
What factors contributed to your strong financial performance, and how do you plan to sustain growth?
There has been strong demand since the pandemic, with a surge in travel and business activity. While this has moderated over the past year, it remains robust, and we’re operating at a more sustainable level now.
We have several development projects in progress, including three tenant projects in addition to Sky Harbour. One corporate tenant is building a second, 30,000-square-foot hangar to accommodate more aircraft, while two of our fixed-base operators (FBOs) are upgrading their facilities, partly due to competition from Galaxy FBO. Galaxy, now in business for two years, invested $28 million in three large hangars, an FBO terminal, and seven acres of concrete ramp. This has pushed Million Air and Atlantic Aviation to enhance their facilities, creating healthy competition that attracts high-end traffic.
Demand has cooled slightly from the post-pandemic peak in 2022; that was an exceptional period. We believe the strong business climate will continue as long as the U.S. economy remains stable, which looks promising for the foreseeable future.
How is the airport preparing for the impact of the DART Silver Line, and what effect do you expect it to have?
Determining the full impact of the DART Silver Line on Addison Airport is challenging at this stage. The transit-oriented development, backed by about half a billion dollars in investment, will bring both office and residential space to the area, with a station being built at the southeast corner of the airport.
The effect on the airport will largely depend on the type of businesses that move into the new office space. If these companies have significant travel needs — such as those with remote workforces or multiple offices nationwide or globally — they may drive demand for business aviation. However, it’s still unclear what industries the development will attract.
That said, having the airport so close is a strong selling point for the town’s economic development efforts. It positions the area to attract businesses that rely on business aviation as part of their operations, potentially boosting demand for airport services.
What workforce development initiatives or partnerships does the airport have in place to support the aviation industry?
In terms of workforce development, Addison Airport is involved in several initiatives. Rising Aviation High School on the west side of the airport focuses on STEAM education, engaging high school students in aviation-related fields such as flight school or drone piloting. On the east side, Thrust Flight operates a large flight school and a maintenance program, training pilots and aviation technicians. Additionally, we collaborate with the North Central Texas Council of Governments to support aviation education and workforce development efforts across the region.
How is the airport addressing sustainability goals, particularly with sustainable aviation fuel and other green technologies?
On the sustainability front, the business aviation industry is making significant strides toward using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to reduce its environmental footprint and improve public perception. This shift is being driven by both environmental concerns and the need for better press around the industry’s impact. In addition to SAF, electric aviation and alternative fuel sources are becoming key areas of focus. North Texas has been a testing ground for drone deliveries — Walmart, for instance, is using drones to deliver goods, including groceries, within 20 to 30 minutes. This signals a broader shift toward sustainable and innovative aviation solutions.
What role will electric aviation and drone technology play in the future of the airport?
Electric aviation and drone technology will play a key role in the future of Addison Airport. Walmart’s drone delivery service is set to reach 1.8 million households in North Texas by the end of the year, focusing on small cargo and last-mile deliveries. Beyond this, we’re in talks with a London-based company developing autonomous drones capable of carrying up to 1,000 kilograms. They see Addison as an ideal location for operations, with initial tests likely to occur in less populated areas.
In addition to cargo, the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft market is emerging. The city of Arlington, in partnership with DFW International Airport, plans to implement eVTOL services by the 2026 World Cup. Addison is expected to be a key player in this regional eVTOL network, connecting business centers and transportation hubs through designated vertiports in dense business districts. Companies like Toyota, just north of Addison, are already contributing components to eVTOL manufacturers like Joby Aviation, highlighting the significant investment and potential in this space.
A major focus of our upcoming airport master plan update will be accommodating the eVTOL market, particularly the challenge of developing charging infrastructure. Unlike electric cars, which require around 50 kW, eVTOL stations may need to operate in the megawatt range, presenting a substantial infrastructure challenge that we’re preparing to address.
What is the outlook for the airport and the region in the next few years?
Looking ahead, we expect stronger-than-average economic growth for the region due to the concentration of workforce talent and innovation. However, Addison Airport is approaching its growth limit due to space constraints, with future development relying heavily on the redevelopment of existing facilities. Aside from a single 5-acre parcel on the west side, most growth will come from replacing older infrastructure.
In recent years, we’ve seen significant turnover in properties due to expiration of 40-year lease agreements, where tenants return ownership of infrastructure to the airport at the end of the lease. This has spurred major construction projects, a trend we expect to continue as we upgrade and update our facilities to meet the evolving needs of the business aviation sector. While business aviation remains our primary focus, about half of our air traffic still comes from flight training.
