Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has abandoned plans to install Islamic foot-washing stations in Terminal D after accelerating a review amid public scrutiny, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered a state funding review of DFW and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) over religious accommodations.
DFW reverses course on foot-washing stations
DFW announced Friday it would not proceed with the proposed ablution stations in Terminal D, citing that the project would not deliver the originally anticipated operational benefits. The airport had been evaluating the proposal, which included separate washing stations for men and women on the pre-security side of Terminal D, but accelerated its review due to elevated public interest this week.
In a statement, DFW clarified that the project was not yet finalized and had been listed in a regulatory filing as privately funded—a detail the airport attributed to an administrative error by an outside design firm. DFW later confirmed the project would have used airport funds, not taxpayer dollars, and noted that no construction had begun.
Abbott orders funding review over religious accommodations
Governor Abbott directed a review of all state grants awarded to airport operators in Texas, including DFW and IAH, after reports emerged about the proposed facilities. Abbott argued in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that the facilities violate constitutional protections against religious discrimination, stating:
“These ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion. That is illegal. Both airports are government-owned facilities. The federal and state constitutions prohibit government from facilitating this sort of discrimination.”
Abbott also requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigate both airports for potential violations of federal anti-discrimination laws. He warned that entities found to be in violation could face withdrawal of existing grants and denial of future funding.
Existing accommodations at IAH and DFW
IAH has offered an ablution room connected to a prayer space since 2024, which Abbott described as available to people of all faiths. DFW has had washing stations in place since 2019, though the proposed Terminal D project would have been a new standalone installation. Abbott’s office did not specify whether the existing facilities at either airport would be subject to the review.
Project details and timeline
The proposed DFW project, initially estimated at $300,000, was scheduled to begin on August 31 but was not yet approved at the time of Abbott’s intervention. DFW spokesperson Heath Montgomery confirmed to local media that the airport had accelerated its evaluation due to public attention and determined the project would not meet operational needs.
The controversy follows Abbott’s broader push to scrutinize religious accommodations in public spaces, including a recent directive to review state funding for entities operating airports in Texas. The DOT has not yet responded to Abbott’s request for an investigation.