Sean Donohue

Sean Donohue is the Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, a position he has held since October 2013. Under his leadership, DFW Airport has become the third-busiest airport in the world, serving approximately 65 million passengers annually and generating over $37 billion in economic impact for the Dallas-Fort Worth region.124

Career Background

Donohue has a robust background in the aviation industry, spanning over 40 years. Before joining DFW, he served as the Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Australia Airlines from 2010 to 2013 and spent 26 years at United Airlines in various executive roles, including Senior Vice President of Operations.136 His extensive experience has equipped him with significant expertise in airport management and operations.

Educational Qualifications

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Economics from Boston College.13

Achievements at DFW Airport

During his tenure, Donohue has overseen numerous significant developments, including:

• A $9 billion capital improvement program aimed at enhancing airport facilities.
• The establishment of DFW as North America's first carbon-neutral airport.
• Implementation of a 10-year use and lease agreement with airlines serving DFW.45

In October 2024, Donohue announced his retirement after a decade at DFW Airport, expressing mixed emotions about leaving a role that he described as overseeing "the best airport in the business" .24 His legacy includes not only operational improvements but also strategic initiatives that have positioned DFW as a key global transportation hub.