airports | FFXnow

Dulles mobile lounges could last another two decades, airport officials say

Published September 22, 2025 at 11:45AM

Dulles International Airport still uses mobile lounges, or people movers, to transport passengers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Some existing mobile lounges at Dulles International Airport have been operating since John F. Kennedy was president in the mid-20th century, and with proper care, airport officials hope to keep them in service until almost the middle of the 21st century.

The iconic transportation equipment is a critical part of airport operations and “will remain essential for the next 15 to 20 years,” Thomas Beatty, chief operations officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), told the agency’s board of directors last Wednesday (Sept. 17).

News

First restaurant, retail tenants announced for future Concourse E at Dulles

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 19, 2025 at 1:45PM

Bonchon is among new restaurant offerings coming to Dulles Airport (via MWAA)

With its opening just a year away, the first concessionaires have been announced for Dulles International Airport’s Concourse E.

The new food, beverage and retail stores “focus on brands that represent the regional D.C. experience,” said officials with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

News

Dulles receives $7 million in federal funds to improve airport taxiways

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 26, 2025 at 1:45PM

An United Airlines plane taxiing at Dulles International Airport (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (WMAA) will receive nearly $7 million in federal funding to support taxiway reconstructions at Dulles International Airport.

The $6.8 million in funding represents the second-largest amount among 18 aviation-related projects approved statewide by the Federal Aviation Administration. Funding comes from a $25 billion appropriation in the 2021 Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.

News

Dulles now tops JFK for nonstop gateway flights to African nations

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

Nonstop flights from Dulles to Africa (via MWAA)

A post-Covid boom in international travel has put Dulles International Airport atop a ranking for service to Africa.

The local airport, which sits on the border of Loudoun and Fairfax counties, has now surpassed John F. Kennedy International in New York for the most nonstop destinations to the continent, with eight cities to JFK’s six.

News

MWAA: Dulles Toll Road seeing spring and summer rebound in vehicle trips, revenue

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 22, 2025 at 11:45AM

Westbound Dulles Toll Road approaching Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Back-to-office directives and increased enforcement targeting “backtracking” through the airport have led to higher-than-projected use of the Dulles Toll Road in recent months, after a rocky start to the year.

“Not just the money, but the cars going through is improving,” Kate Hanley, a Virginia representative on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors, said.

News

New master plan for Dulles Airport envisions growth to 90 million annual passengers

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 17, 2025 at 2:45PM

Washington Dulles International Airport development plan (via MWAA)

A 230% increase in passengers — to 90 million per year — is planned for Dulles International Airport later toward the end of the 21st century.

That aspirational figure was contained in the new master plan for the airport, approved Wednesday (July 16) by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors.

Countywide

Busy travel period expected on roads, rails and airplanes for Independence Day

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 2, 2025 at 8:30AM

Traffic on Route 28 in Chantilly near the Route 50 interchange (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For Fairfax County residents preparing to make a getaway for the Independence Day holiday, planning ahead could ease hassles no matter the mode of travel.

Here’s what to expect if you’re traveling for the extended weekend, from driver and airplane passenger projections to Metro and bus service impacts.

Countywide

MWAA: ‘Real ID’ implementation going smoothly at N. Va. airports

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 28, 2025 at 10:00AM

Travelers at Dulles International Airport walk to security on their way to their gates (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The start of REAL ID enforcement in early May went without major hassle at Northern Virginia’s two airports.

“The rollout was smooth and uneventful,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said at the authority’s May 21 board of directors meeting.

Countywide

Dulles Airport sees spring travel surge, setting stage for busy summer

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 23, 2025 at 8:30AM

Travelers in a security line at Dulles International Airport in April 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

An especially strong March and a record-setting day in April seem to foreshadow a positive summer for Dulles International Airport.

The airport recorded 1,103,722 passenger enplanements this past March — its second-best passenger total ever for that month, according to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund.

Around Town

Restaurant, retail options at Dulles Airport expanding again to meet growth

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 21, 2025 at 3:45PM

Conceptual design of 2 Silos Brewing at Washington Dulles International Airport (courtesy Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority)

Some restaurants whose names may be familiar to Fairfax County residents will be cropping up at Dulles International Airport in the coming months.

The airport, which sits just west of the border in Loudoun County, plans to revitalize and expand its shopping and dining experience with eight new venues over the coming year. Another three retail tenants will be added at Reagan National Airport.