Economic and geopolitical headwinds are not derailing ongoing development efforts at Dulles International Airport.
Acknowledging 2025 has opened as “a turbulent year,” the president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) told that body’s board of directors that the long-term forecast remains positive.
“I’m still kind of bullish on where we’re going,” Jack Potter said at the board’s meeting yesterday (Wednesday).
Featuring new members Kim Clark Pakstys and Paul Sheridan Jr., who were tapped by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to fill two of Virginia’s seven seats on the 17-member body, it was the board’s first meeting since the Jan. 29 aircraft crash and subsequent flight limitations were implemented at Reagan National Airport.
It was also the board’s first meeting since impacts of the Trump administration’s downsizing of the federal government and tariff initiatives began to take hold. A snow-filled winter season caused additional disruptions to air travel locally and nationally.
“Hopefully spring brings about a different environment,” Potter said. “Better weather comes, we get past some of the economic challenges.”
Dulles hasn’t been immune — and may face bigger challenges going forward — but its sibling in Arlington has been hit harder by events of recent months.
The weather and economic impacts have had “an impact on both airports, but particularly on Reagan,” Potter said at MWAA board’s strategic development committee meeting.
So far, passenger totals are holding steady at Dulles, where January emplanements were up 14.6% above a year before and 10.7% from projections. In 2024, Dulles saw the most passengers in its history, breaking a record set 20 years before.
Dulles master plan discussion continues
At the meeting, MWAA’s chief capital development officer, Roger Natsuhara, updated board members on ongoing projects at Dulles.
In coming months, the board will be asked to approve the airport’s master plan, which will guide major reconstruction work expected to occupy much of the next decade. After the board’s vote, the package will go to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review, likely this summer.
Before either of those can happen, airport officials need to hold a board member workshop to review current planning.
“We’re certainly looking forward to getting that nailed down on our calendar,” said Marc Uncapher, an MWAA board member and co-chair of the strategic development committee.
As part of the redevelopment plan, work has started on the first phase of the new Midfield Concourse E/F. That construction is on track to finish in 2026, but the project will involve two more phases that are expected to be completed by 2031.
Other projects on horizon
Also on in the pipeline are a number of projects at Dulles:
Runway reconstruction
- Plans call for a complete reconstruction of the 11,500-foot-long Runway 1R-19L, beginning in early 2027 and lasting about a year.
- It was one of the original runways when Dulles opened in 1962, and this is the first time it’ll be reconstructed “in 60-plus years,” Natsuhara said.
- During construction, departing and arriving flights will use the two other north-south runways at Dulles, he said.
Baggage-system upgrade
- An upgrade to the airport’s baggage system is slated to start in 2027.
Mobile-lounge rehabilitation
- Efforts are underway to rebuild the airport’s existing fleet of plane mates (better known as mobile lounges) to serve until the entire airport is connected by underground train service.
- The mobile-lounge fleet likely will need to be retained for one more rehabilitation cycle, Natsuhara said. Rehabbing the existing fleet was deemed the least risky and most economical available option.
Focus on China service continues
A resumption of strong connections between Dulles and China will be one key to maintaining the airport’s economic health, and there are some signs of progress.
Earlier this month, Air China resumed nonstop service between Dulles and Beijing for the first time since the pandemic began with twice-a-week service between the two capitals.
The airline had resumed service between the two sites in November 2023, but included a stop in Los Angeles in each direction.
The new flights will be the longest, by scheduled time, anywhere in the world using Boeing 747 aircraft, clocking in at 14 hours, 40 minutes from Beijing to Dulles and 16 hours, 55 minutes on the return trip.
China remains the only country that hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic operating levels at Dulles and remains “a strategic focus,” MWAA Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund said.
A delegation from the authority recently traveled to three cities in China to promote the airport.
“These meetings are already showing positive results,” Westerlund said.
New terminal at National on horizon
Also at the March 19 meeting, MWAA board members approved a contract worth up to $108 million over eight years for architectural, engineering and planning services in preparation for replacement of the existing Terminal 1 at Reagan National.
The contract has already been approved, as required, by the FAA.
The new facility will include nine gates, the same number currently found in what’s affectionately known as the “banjo terminal” for its circular architecture and a long-necked passageway leading to the rest of the airport. It currently serves Southwest, Frontier and Air Canada flights.
