As the summer travel season arrives, Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport both face “some big challenges as well as big opportunities,” according to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter.
The greatest challenge at the moment is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has depressed traveler counts to that part of the world, Potter told MWAA’s board of directors at a May 20 meeting.
Six airlines connect Dulles to Middle East destinations directly impact by the U.S. war with Iran: Etihad, Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Qatar, Saudia and United. Three other carriers — Turkish, Egyptair and Ethiopian — serve destinations adjacent to the 11-nation conflict zone.
The drop in passenger totals has resulted in a 2% decline in overall international travel through Dulles since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, touching off the current round of military battles.
“We look forward to the end of the conflict,” Potter said.
On the plus side, the two airports may benefit from travelers visiting D.C. for the nation’s 250th birthday.
“We’re expecting thousands of additional visitors,” Potter told board members. “Our team has been working overtime to make sure we are ready. We’re looking forward to a most memorable summer.”
According to figures shared last week, MWAA is preparing to process over 19 million travelers at the two airports it manages from May through August. Dulles will host 45 airlines this summer making 304 daily departures to 100 domestic destinations and 63 international ones, while eight airlines at Reagan National are expected to provide 420 daily flights to 102 domestic and six international destinations.
Those traveling through the airports over the summer are encouraged to reserve parking in advance. During the peak of spring break, parking at Reagan National was filled to 96% of capacity, with Dulles reaching 90%, Westerlund said.
New concessions expected this summer include:
- Colada Shop (DCA near C-gates): A popular D.C, gathering spot offers delicious Cuban-style food, coffee and cocktails in a lively atmosphere.
- Busboys and Poets (DCA end of D-gates): Local, vibrant community-driven restaurant and café serving globally inspired comfort food.
- Clyde’s (IAD coming soon to Concourse D): A D.C.-area favorite American tavern bringing elevated comfort food alongside a full bar.
- Starbucks (IAD coming soon to Concourse C): Coffee shop is airport’s seventh location.
- 2 Silos Brewing Co. (IAD coming soon to Concourse B): Serves a variety of local brews, craft drinks and a regionally inspired menu.
- Shenandoah Marketplace & Starbucks (IAD coming soon to Concourse B): This marketplace combines a diverse array of local products for sale along with a full-service Starbucks café.
New Concourse E on track for September opening
The new 14-gate concourse at Dulles International Airport is on track for completion by late summer or early fall.
“We are ‘full steam ahead’ for a September opening,” Chryssa Westerlund, an executive vice president and the chief revenue officer for MWAA, said at the May 20 board meeting.
Dubbed Concourse E, the new gates and adjacent terminal facilities will be used by United Airlines, the dominant carrier at Dulles.
“Exterior work is largely complete. Construction has shifted to the interior fit-out,” MWAA Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said.
Work on concession areas and United’s club facilities also “are well under way,” Beatty told MWAA board members.
All told, about 650 workers are on site daily working on the project, MWAA officials said.
The half-billion-dollar Concourse E project is being supported in part by the federal government, which to date has provided nearly $190 million in grant funding, according to Potter.
The May 20 meeting provided little in the way of updates regarding broader expansion plans at the airport, which are being pushed by the Trump administration.
For now, Potter said the authority is moving forward on its existing $7 billion master plan for future growth. As for the broader proposal, which it has suggested could cost more than triple that amount, more news will come when it comes, he told the board.
“We hope to finalize our plans … in the weeks and months ahead,” Potter said.
Weak April follows strong March
MWAA saw strong March passenger figures at both National and Dulles airports, partly because most spring break activities occurred that month, rather than in April.
The month’s passenger enplanements of 2.25 million across both airports “gave us a nice bump,” Westerlund said.
Passenger totals then declined in April, due to the spring-break calendar, economic jitters and higher airfares resulting in part from the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Dulles has been celebrating the arrival of new service to destinations near and far.
United has brought back nonstop flights to Lynchburg after an absence of 25 years. The daily round-trip uses 50-seat regional jets.
A significantly longer route — one of nearly 7,000 miles — is the Dulles-to-Seoul service launched by Air Premia in April. MWAA officials traveled to South Korea to mark the inauguration of that service.
Flights operate four days per week using Boeing 787 aircraft configured to carry 320 passengers in premium economy and economy.
