MWAA Approves $19.9 Billion Washington Dulles Airport Overhaul

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board unanimously approved a $19.9 billion redevelopment plan for Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday. The project follows a $22 billion proposal announced last month by President Donald Trump, though the approved version excludes a massive parking garage and transportation center.

Scheduled to begin in late 2027 and conclude by 2034, the overhaul allocates $6.2 billion for the reconstruction of the main terminal and $3.75 billion for new underground tunnels and an expanded AeroTrain system. These upgrades will phase out the airport's historic mobile lounge tarmac vehicles to reduce transit bottlenecks, with tunnel construction slated to start in early 2029. The project will add 5 million square feet of new or renovated space, although one planned concourse may not be completed until 2039.

Funding relies heavily on $14.2 billion in new municipal bonds. To cover transit costs, airline boarding costs are projected to rise from $13 to between $60 and $65 by 2038. Immediate developments include a new 14-gate section of Concourse E for United Airlines, which is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

Airport officials warned that passengers should expect disruptions during construction, including security detours, gate reassignments, and changes to parking and drop-off access. The project comes as Dulles handles record growth, having served 29 million passengers in 2025.