Details are coming into sharper focus for a planned VIP terminal and lounge facility serving Dulles International Airport.
As FFXnow reported in July, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) signed an agreement with Ireland-based daa International to locate the 37,000-square-foot facility on a 1.2-acre parcel of land located near the airport’s Cargo 6 building.
The contract, authorized by MWAA’s board of directors, will run for 20 years. MWAA released additional details on the proposal yesterday (Oct. 20), describing the future terminal as “the first of its kind for any airport in the National Capital Region.”
Kevin Cullinane, deputy director of communications for daa Group, said the goal is to open the facility in the first quarter of 2029. The development process is expected to take around 30 months.
“It is designed to offer travelers a premium, private and seamless airport experience and is not restricted to any particular airline or class of ticket,” he told FFXnow.
According to airport officials, highlights of the facility will include:
- Dedicated parking and entrance facilities separate from main terminal
- Private security screening for domestic and international travelers
- Suites, lounges and amenities separate from other airport concourses
- Personalized check-in, baggage handling services and premium vehicle transport to the gate and aircraft
“Our focus is on delivering a world-class premium passenger experience at Washington Dulles and creating a facility that enhances the airport’s offering for travelers,” Cullinane said.
While specific financial details are not being released, MWAA officials revealed in July that daa would pay a combination of base rent, plus a percentage of total revenue generated by the facility. The total then was estimated at $125 million over the course of the contract.
“What we can say is that this represents a significant long-term investment by daa International in the U.S. market,” Cullinane told FFXnow.
Chryssa Westerlund, an executive vice president and chief revenue officer for MWAA, said the new facility would help Dulles as it embarks on a $22 billion redevelopment plan.
“By introducing this premium service, Dulles is responding to traveler demand, supporting continued growth and joining other leading international airports around the world that offer elevated services for business and leisure travelers alike,” Westerlund said.
The contract award in July came after an unsuccessful bidder, whose identity was not revealed by MWAA, challenged the award to daa International.
MWAA board members at their July 15 meeting rejected the appeal. Only one board member — Trent Morse, representing the Trump administration on the body — voted to support the challenge.
