Texas Gov. Greg Abbott opposed Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s (DFW) plan to install ablution facilities and requested a review of whether the projects comply with the law. Abbott argued that airports owned by the state may not give preferential treatment to a particular religion.
Abbott ordered a review of state grants awarded to the entities operating DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. He said existing grants could be canceled and future support could be halted. He also referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
DFW management had been considering adding a low-mounted washing unit to each of the women’s and men’s restrooms in Terminal D. The airport said the project was intended to reduce wet floors, fall hazards and counter damage caused by passengers washing their feet in standard sinks. After growing public interest, DFW accelerated its review and announced that it had abandoned the project.
Two similar units installed at the airport in 2019 remain in place. IAH in Houston also has an ablution area and an interfaith prayer room.