Plans "Super Sunday" Event March 30

DFW International Airport in North Texas is counting down the days -- literally -- until the historic Open Skies Agreement between the United States and European Union goes into effect at the end of March.

DFW is hailing March 30 "Super Sunday," inaugurating new international service to London Heathrow via American Airlines and British Airways and Amsterdam Schiphol via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. On that day, the airport will hold a multi-cultural celebration in its International Terminal D to toast arriving and departing passengers and commemorate the new economic infusion for the North Texas economy.

"March 30 will be the single largest increase in international air service in one day since DFW opened in 1974," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW. "Adding a brand new international carrier in KLM and two new strategic destinations in London and Amsterdam will give our passengers more flights, more connections and more competition than ever before."

The airport's dedicated Open Skies website will be updated throughout the month, offering podcasts giving travelers tips on Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, London Heathrow and DFW. Users can also view DFW's official Open Skies Countdown Clock, which began running Monday and will continue until the March 30 celebration.

DFW officials have designated 2008 as "The Year of the International Traveler" as DFW's global destinations continue to grow. The rules for international air travel will change in April with the advent of the US-EU Open Skies Agreement, which allows US airlines unlimited access to EU airports and the right to fly to airports in the EU single market.

In return, EU airlines can fly from any EU airport to any US airport and then on to other countries. DFW was the first airport in the world awarded new service under Open Skies, announcing British Airways DFW-Heathrow service last year. Since then, American Airlines has announced two flights to London Heathrow, and KLM announced it would serve DFW for the first time and fly to Amsterdam Schiphol.

"The new international service will put North Texas on a world stage like never before," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president of marketing and terminal management for DFW. "We are getting improved connectivity by virtue of being linked to two of the world's premier international hubs. Heathrow and Schiphol alone will link DFW passengers with approximately 230 unique destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India."

In addition, DFW travelers will soon be linked from the airport's award-winning International Terminal D to London Heathrow's new Terminal 5 -- scheduled to open later this month. And Amsterdam Schiphol is perennially recognized as one of the world's top international airports for passenger amenities.

FMI: www.dfwairport.com/openskies