Washington Dulles International Airport will undergo a multi-year transformation backed by a capital programme of more than $20 billion, in a plan unveiled by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and President Donald J. Trump at the White House. The redevelopment, supported by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines, covers more than 5 million square feet of new or renovated space and is intended to turn the airport into a world-class international gateway for the Washington region.
The project will proceed in phases so Dulles can remain operational during construction. It follows a review of more than 30 proposals submitted after the Department of Transportation’s call to action in December and builds on work already under way through MWAA’s Master Plan and a prior airline agreement. The financing model relies primarily on municipal bonds and airport and airline funding, with limited federal spending.
One of the biggest changes will be the replacement of the airport’s long-standing mobile lounges and people movers. The first segment of the new Concourse E is due to open later this year with 14 United gates, direct AeroTrain access and new or upgraded lounge space. The wider programme is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic activity and support thousands of jobs.